What are some travel tips for those going to Bali?

 Some local guides will try to con you. this is same in all south east asian countries. Being from India, I know exactly when a local guide is trying to con you.

I visited Bali in last month and there is a waterfall called GitGit waterfall at north bali near lovina. I hired a taxi and asked the driver to take me there.

Now here is the thing, when I visit a new place, I always study google maps first and I have a very clear idea about routes and distances.

So the taxi driver stops his car around 1 kilometers away from the actual spot where vehicles can go. he says “This is the parking for the waterfall, from here you need to take a guide”.

He introduces me with a guide.

The first thing the guide says is “We provide guides for free here, we do not take any charge, only you need to pay for entry ticket to the waterfall”

“How much is the entry ticket?” I asked.

“It’s 120K IDR and that includes me taking you there, the return and the history of the waterfall.” he replies.

I asked him if I can go there myself without guide, he said “No it’s very dangerous, the road is slippery and has many turns and branches, you can get lost in there easily.”

From google maps, I know that the place is exactly around 900 meters away. I told him no thanks buddy, I’ll go myself.

He said “The money which we take is not for ourselves, it’d for charity, student’s education, welfare of local people etc, if you have any respect for local people you should go with us.”

I said “I deeply respect Balinese people, I am from India and we share the same culture and religion, but I came here for adventure, i’ll go myself”

Saying this, I moved forward, with help of google maps, I walked the 900 meters path. a simple and straightforward path, no twists and turns, no slippery path, just a walk in the park.

and whats more, the entry ticket is just 10k IDR, not 120k as told by my dear guide.

I found out that the taxi could have easily dropped me near the ticket counter, But he deliberately dropped me at the guide center which is half-a-kilometers away from the ticket counter.

The waterfall

What are some Indian destinations that look like international destinations?

The above place is Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh, often called the Switzerland of India, it has the same atmosphere, the coniferous trees, snow capped mountains, rolling green meadows.

While Khajjiar is the more famous tourist attraction in India, there are a whole lot, that have not yet still got as much attention, here are some more.

Pondicherry's French Quarter, has a complete Meditteranean look about it, with it's stately bungalows, wide avenues, painted walls.

Coorg has often been called the Scotland of India for it's hills, green rolling valleys.

And there has been another Scotland in India too, Meghalaya, whose name literally means Abode of the Clouds, and whose terrain is similiar with green valleys, towering peaks.

India has some awesome mountain railway tracks, pretty much like what you find in Switzerland, Austria.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Ooty, uses the same Abt rack and pinion system used in Europe.

The Darjeeling Toy train, again passing through some wonderful landscape.

The Kalka-Shimla toy train, the aqueduct cum bridges, are pretty similiar to what you find in Europe.

If Skiing is what you love, look no further than Gulmarg, Pahalgam in Kashmir or Solang Valley in Himachal or Auli in Uttarakhand, as good as what you get in Switzerland or Austria.

Gulmarg

Pahalgam

Solang Valley in Himachal Pradesh.

Auli in Uttarakhand.

Alleppey in Kerala is often called the Venice of the East, due to the canals crisscrossing the town.

Heard of England's famous Lake District, we have the equivalent here in Nainital, the name of the town itself means Lake of Goddess Naini, and it has a whole lot of other lakes nearby.

Nainital

Bhimtal

Naukuchiatal

Sattal.

And I would say this, India in fact has a lot more diversity to offer than Europe, which I feel is more or less standardized. The beaches in India are far more diverse than in Europe, and the same goes with the forts and palaces in India, which have a far more diverse range of architectural styles than what you see in Europe. So while there are many places in India, that do have a European feel, it would be hard to find a place in Europe that has an Indian feel. I mean no way could I imagine finding something like the Rann of Kutch or the rain forests of the Western Ghats in Europe.

Which is the best airline for domestic travel in India?

 I study in Punjab and to go home(Hyderabad) during summer and winter vacations, I usually take flights. So, I’ve traveled in 5 airlines till now, Air Vistara,Indigo, Jet Airways,Spice jet and Air India. Here is my ratings in ascending order.

1. Spice jet : My last preference while booking a flight. Though the cabin crew are helpful, the seats are congested like village bus seats and the in-flight food costs is too high.
2. Indigo : Indigo has the largest share in the airline network but their flight seats doesn't make sense to me. They charge extra money for window and aisle seats in the first rows and I don’t even feel anything different. They have different food menu, but I always feel half-filled with their in-flight food.
3. Jet Airways : They have friendly cabin crew, serve delicious food. The only place they lack is their seats don’t have enough leg room and sometimes they run a bit late. Otherwise, everything is good at jet airways.
4. Air India : I always hear negative comments about hospitality of Air India, but I’ve traveled at least 7–8 times by Air India and never a bit uncomfortable. They always try reach the destination sooner than the arrival time and they do in most of the cases. The food is good and they give you extra cookie or something if you ask, seats are spacious and have enough leg room and what not. I’d just say to all to give a deaf ear to all those rumors and travel trough Air India once.

1. Air Vistara : I have only one word to say about Vistara is ‘Excelsior’. Pick anything about them, it is just great. Beautiful and friendly Air hostesses, mild orange ambiance, delicious food and helpful ground staff. You pick it and they are the best. The only problem I face is their availability. As they are new airlines, they less no. of trips. But I still try to plan according to their flight schedule.

Note: The common reason for jet airways , air India and air vistara to be in the top three is because they operate from Delhi Terminal 3. The most beautiful terminal of India.

What are the best yet unexplored travel destinations in India?

 Indians are evolving as travellers and seeking new experiences beyond the regular holiday spots that are just a tick in the box. The emerging neo-travelers want to explore places unknown, breathtaking landscapes and mingle with the locals to experience the place in its true sense and beauty. The peace, serenity and experience provided by these places are next to none. Expedia lists out a few enchanting destinations that are topping the lists of Indian travellers looking for the unexplored territories.

1. Haflong is a hill station in Assam also referred as the land of blue hills. The green valley and the hilly treks at Borai hills are hotspots of adventure tourism events like hang gliding, Para-gliding and Trekking.

2. Tawang is another such place. Located in Arunachal Pradesh, it has a well preserved Tawang Monastery which makes it a popular tourist destination. The Jang waterfall is famous for its beauty and the Sela Pass remains covered with snow for most part of the year. It also has a handicrafts center that promotes small scale industries for local handicraft.

3. Gurez: Kashmir: Gurez is considered to be one of the most picturesque valleys of Kashmir. Gateway of the ancient 'Silk Route', Gurez also incorporates the famous pyramid shaped 'Habba Khatoon' peak named after the Kashmiri poetess. Although the tourist related infrastructure is yet to be developed in this area, the accommodation facility is available in the main town of Dawar and the nearby villages. The beautiful Kishen Ganga river flows through Gurez valley with its clear blue waters and rafting can be done here. (Courtsesy: bmctouring)

4. Warwan Valley: The efforts to reach this heavenly valley are worth it as you have to cross the tricky Margan Top (from where the famous Nun Kun peak can be seen on a clear day). Another gem in the unexplored Kashmir, Warwan valley in Kishtwar district situated at an altitude of approx 7000 feet from sea level offers breathtaking vistas of greenery, waterfalls and clear skies. Warwan valley is sandwiched between Kashmir and Ladakh. On a moonlit night, one is enthralled by the sheer beauty of the snow peaks of Zanskar range and the shimmering Dariya-E-Chinab flowing through the valley with distant echoes of shepherds getting their ships back home. (Courtesy: panoramio)

5. Kalimpong, West Bengal: An offbeat hill station in West Bengal that hasn't been explored a lot by too many people outside the East. Tibetan monasteries and crafts and churches make it a lovely retreat for the summer and winters. Make sure to shop for orchids in the elaborate flower markets of Kalimpong.

6. Lepchajagat, West Bengal: Lepchajagat is located on a hill covered with Oaks forests and beautiful rhododendron. It is situated on Ghoom-Mirik road at the Sukhipokhri near Darjeeling. This place has an astonishing exquisiteness that is difficult to get over. The curious play of colors in the sky strikes you straight away. Partly black and white clouds drift from one hill to another. The other places close by that are not to be missed include Jorepokri, Mirik and Pashupati. (Courtesy: weekendestinations.info)

7. Tarkarli Beach, Maharashtra: Known for its scenic beauty, the place will leave you awestruck. A walk down the edge of the sparkling blue waters in a beautiful experience. It also offers houseboat cruise on the Karli river and is one of the highpoints of the place. Adventure activities like snorkeling or scuba diving or underwater swimming are available for adventure seeking couples. Do not forget to try some of the delectable sea food that Tarkarli is famous for. (Courtesy:travel-logs.in)

8. Diveagar, Maharashtra: Gentle wind, sun kissed sands, calm and clean waters make the place appealing. The beach is a pleasant and clear water beach with the option of multiple water sports. The coconut cultivation that runs across the beach line makes it a lovely place to spent time around sunset with your partner. Bagmandala Beach is a clean and secluded beach near Srivardhan and one shall enjoy playing in the white sands of this beach. One can also visit the adjacent Bankot Fort via a boat ride.(Courtesy: indianholiday.com)

9. Andaman: The Islands are shrouded in the mystery for centuries because of their inaccessability. A paragon of beauty, these islands present a landscape of scenic and picturesque extravaganza, shimmering like emeralds in the Bay of Bengal and consists of 572 emerald Islands (36 of which are inhabited), islets and rocks slets and rocks.

10. Lakshadweep: Comprising a string of 36 palm-covered, white-sand-skirted coral islands 300km off the coast of Kerala, Lakshadweep is as stunning as it is isolated. The real attraction of the islands lies under the water: the 4200 sq km of pristine archipelago lagoons, unspoiled coral reefs and warm waters are a magnet for flipper-toting travellers and divers alike.(Courtesy: islandgetaways.com)

What are some travel destinations that are surprisingly difficult to reach, and why might they still be worth visiting?

 To visit the world's most remote inhabited island, you must sail six days. If the ocean is too rough when you arrive, you have to turn back without ever stepping ashore.

Located in the South Atlantic Ocean, the British overseas territory of Tristan da Cunha presents massive logistical hurdles. The primary reason it remains so inaccessible is the complete lack of an airstrip. To visit, travelers must first fly to Cape Town, South Africa, and then secure a berth on a working vessel, such as a commercial fishing boat or a South African polar research ship. The 1,750-mile sea voyage across waters known for intense swells is just the beginning.

Furthermore, securing a ticket requires prior approval from the island's local council. Even after making the journey, landing is never guaranteed. If the ocean swells around the island’s small harbor are too severe, ships cannot safely dock, and passengers must occasionally return to South Africa.

Despite these immense hurdles, the destination offers an unparalleled glimpse into a unique way of life. The main settlement, Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, has a population of roughly 240 permanent residents. Visitors find a deeply self-sustaining community where land is communally owned and agricultural duties are largely shared. It provides a rare look at how a society functions in near-total isolation from global supply chains.

The island also boasts a pristine natural environment. It is dominated by Queen Mary's Peak, an active volcano rising over 6,500 feet, which offers striking landscapes for hikers. The rugged coastlines serve as vital breeding grounds for northern rockhopper penguins, subantarctic fur seals, and the Tristan albatross. Because the ecosystem has faced minimal human interference, the wildlife thrives in a genuinely wild state. For those willing to endure the unpredictable sea crossing, Tristan da Cunha offers an experience defined by raw geography and absolute quiet, far removed from modern connectivity.

Will interstellar travel ever be possible?

 Yes and it won’t be that far in the future as one might think and the reason is…

Fusion power - the same process that happens in the sun where smaller molecules are merged into bigger one’s, generating extreme amounts of energy and creating matter which can be expelled at high speeds to propel a spaceship to close to relativistic speeds (5–15% speed of light).

There would be some challenges that we would need to overcome, such as finding a way to mine aprox. 50.000 tons of helium needed to fuel such a space craft. But that we would be able to get from, for example, a base on the moon.

Then we would need to find a way to shield the craft from interstellar dust, because at relativistic speeds, a grain the size of a corn would cause massive concussive force but that could be solved by magnetic fields combined with a regenerating physical shields (nano tech?).

Also we would need to have a system to keep people alive for decades, as that is what it would take to reach the closest star but, with bases in space and on the moon, we would have already solved that.

So, assuming mankind (or AI) does not destroy itself, I think it would be achievable in the next 50–100 years.

What is the highest elevation an airplane can travel?

 Would you believe that the altitude record for a winged aircraft was electric? At 96,863 feet or 29,524 meters the propeller aircraft NASA Helios hold that record for level flight “not a zoom climb”. This was an unmaned aircraft.

I used to love getting National Geographic in the 1950’s and 60’s because so many records were being broken. The images of the early high altitude ballon acesions were amazing to a young man who wanted to be a pilot.

There are a few catigories that are worth mentioning. Lets start with an aircraft that has taken off from the earth under it own power. That record belongs to Alexandr Fedotov flying a MiG E-266M. Flying at 123,523 feet in 1977 and still holds “”Offically”” the highest flight from ground.

His Mig E-266m with modified engines taking off on August 31, 1977 and still offically stands today.

The absolute record for a manned flight dropped from an airplane belongs to American test pilot Robert White who when dropped from a B-52 took the X-15 to an altitude of 314,688 feet or 95,916 meters on July 17, 1962.

Michael Melvill who on June 21, 2004 Space Ship One at 170,544 or over 32 miles up set the higest altitude for passanger carrying aircraft.

Some famous people that set altitude records.

Wiley Post in his pressurized suit

How far will the Voyager 1 actually travel before it stops?

 As of March 2026, Voyager 1 is approximately 23.5 to 24 light-hours away from Earth. The probe is over 24 billion kilometers (15 billion miles) away and is expected to reach the milestone of being one full light-day—24 hours—away from Earth by November 2026. Currently it is in interstellar space, having passed the heliopause.

Voyager 1 uses nuclear batteries that have been qorking since 1977, but will probably exhaust by 2036. Then this probe will be totally useless, disconnected and dead metal.

It will go on traveling. It is very unlikely that it will hit something. It will take tens of thousands of years before it reaches another star system. Now it takes 47 hours to send a command to it and get the feedback or response. If it will fall into the hands of an intelligent alien race after one hundred thousand years, by that time it might be possible human will no longer exist. So sad.

Could black holes be used as gateways for intergalactic travel?

 Theoretically it's possible. From solution of general relativity it is clear that black hole connects two different points (may be long enough distance) via a wormhole. But in reality that wormhole is very unstable unless it gets exotic matter.

In current technology,it is not possible the inter-galactic distance travel. As each galaxy is far away from another, we don't have proper theory of it ( travel faster than light).

For a type 3 civilization,it could master the whole galaxy. So they might have some theories that we don't have now.

As space time curvature joints two different points in space by a tunnel (wormhole) , scientist Kip Thorne showed this in Interstellar movie.

Do you think its possible that there are Extra-terrestrials who have reached the stage of Interstellar travel?

If interstellar travel is possible for living creatures at all, they might originate from carbon planets or other habitats where life would evolve a slow perception of time.

It’s very difficult to imagine biological beings such as humans ever traveling to other star systems. Even if we achieve a significant fraction of the speed of light, for example, 10%, it would take decades and centuries to reach the nearest exoplanets. With advances in artificial intelligence and robotics, we might send automated missions to such destinations. They could perform just as well as we do and send back footage from the surfaces of exoplanets. Without biological needs, they can spend decades and centuries in spaceships.

Stars within galaxies have varied velocities and directions of movement, and sometimes they approach each other. This provides a chance of interstellar travel for biological creatures. Our system will be just 0.16 light-years away from Gliese 710 in 1.3 million years.

Finally, the burden of such voyages would be lighter for creatures that perceive time more slowly than humans. If they lived thousands of years and viewed reality more slowly, humans would move around for them as in an accelerated movie. It’s the case with some Earth’s creatures. Flies perceive reality about four times faster than us and can dodge our hand when we try to slap them. On the other hand, we perceive reality about four times faster than turtles, and they move very slowly from our perspective.

The same effect could be even stronger for animal-like organisms, which would evolve on colder worlds where chemical reactions are slower. Some hypothetical biochemistries of life are expected to be like this, such as those involving certain life biochemistry solvents in which chemical reactions would be slower. Hypothetical carbon planets are an example of that. Their liquid oceans could consist of non-polar hydrocarbons, and some of these can be liquid at much lower temperatures, existing on distant orbits of stars where there is less sunlight than on Earth.

Creatures originating from such an environment could have it easier to travel across the universe, perceiving the passage of time more slowly. If we ever met them in person, it could be difficult to distinguish them from plants or elements of scenery because of their slow movement. We would need to communicate with them via artificial intelligence.

Therefore, if galactic empires consisting of many systems exist at all, they might be built by such bizarre creatures. Animals that originated on oxygen-rich planets such as Earth, including humans, are bound to exist in only one system unless biological civilizations eventually transform into an artificial intelligence-based ones, capable of conquering galaxies. They would be much more patient and durable during interstellar travel.