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What is the total number of routes covered by Soumya Tours and Travels on daily basis?

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What are the Top bus amenities provided by Soumya Tours and Travels?

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Which are the Top routes serving by Soumya Tours and Travels ?

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What type of buses currently operated by Soumya Tours and Travels ?

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What is the shortest bus route covered by Soumya Tours and Travels?

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What is the longest route covered by Soumya Tours and Travels?

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How many buses does Soumya Tours and Travels have?

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The Travel Blog of a Culture Addict

Sigiriya Rock Fortress Sri Lanka – The Best Travel Guide

Last Updated on January 10, 2023 by Soumya

Are you planning a trip to Sigiriya rock fortress in Sri Lanka? Wondering what to do in Sigiriya when you get there? Need to brush up on some Sigiriya history before planning your trip? Don’t worry. We have got you covered.

The rock fortress at Sigiriya has always been a dream destination for me. It is one of Sri Lanka’s most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites and an integral park of the Sri Lankan Cultural Triangle . Needless to say, Sigiriya is an important part of every Sri Lankan itinerary. Whether you are visiting for 10 days or just 2, you have to see the mighty Sigiriya rock.

I have been to Sigiriya twice and experienced several amazing things on every visit. I have climbed the Lion’s Rock , done a Sigiriya viewpoint tour, gotten smitten by the frescoes, and clicked pictures at the famous lion paws. The Sigiriya rock fortress has surprised and inspired me every time I have been here.

Here’s an ultimate travel guide for Sigiriya Sri Lanka that includes the best things to do in and around Sigiriya, history, where to stay, and lots of tips from my personal experiences of traveling here.

Table of Contents

Quick tips for visiting Sigiriya rock fortress

Alert: This guide to Sigiriya rock fortress is going to be a long one. You know how I love getting into the depths of every historical site in the world! If you are looking for some quick tips before planning your Sigiriya visit, have a look at the list below.

• Things to do: There are tons of interesting things to do in Sigiriya including (but not limited to) visiting the ruins of the royal palace on the top, gazing dumbstruck at the gigantic lion’s paws, and appreciating the beauty of Sigiriya frescoes. Check out the best Sigiriya attractions here.
• The climb: Sigiriya rock has more than 1200 steps to get to the top. Planning for the climb can be a little overwhelming for anyone. That’s why, I created this “ Ultimate Guide to Climbing Sigiriya Rock ” which has got everything you need to plan your memorable Sigiriya climb.
• Guided tours: Here’s a Viator guided tour that takes you to Sigiriya and through a relaxing jeep safari in Minneriya National Park. Pick up is usually from Sigiriya or Habarana. For more options, look here .
• Accommodation: I highly recommend staying at Habarana Village by Cinnamon , a scenic 4-star property located by the lake. They have sustainable, cottage rooms and offer a lavish breakfast with both Sri Lankan and international choices every morning. And their pool is totally mind-blowing. For more accommodation options, have a look here .

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link on this post. This will be at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links help me keep this website up and running. Thanks for your support!

History of the rock fortress of Sigiriya

The history of Sigiriya rock fortress goes something like this. King Dhatusena, from the Moriyan Dynasty, had two sons – Moggallana I (legitimate heir) and Kashyapa I (illegitimate). Both of them had royal ambitions.

In 473 AD, Kashyapa I (locally Kassapa I) rebelled against his father, imprisoned him, and took charge of the throne. Eventually, he killed his father by burying him alive. His half-brother, Moggallana I fled to India. Kashyapa became the second king of Moriyan Empire and ruled from 473 – 495 AD. As you can guess, he was not a popular ruler. People often referred to him as Pitrughataka Kashyapa which meant “Kashyapa who killed his father”.

Kashyapa shifted his capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya amidst the fear of a rebellion. He chose this 600 feet, rocky outcrop in the middle of Sri Lankan jungles to construct his safe haven. He ruled from there for 18 long years, between 477 – 495 AD. And, that is how the Rock Fortress of Sigiriya came into being.

Prince Moggallana came back from hiding in 495 AD and defeated Kashyapa. The use of Sigiriya as a royal fortress ended in 495. Moggallana donated the rock to the Sangha (Sri Lanka’s Buddhist monastic order). It went back to being a Buddhist monastery for several years after that. Between the 6th and 14th centuries, many devotees, monks, and local people visited Sigiriya. Graffitti on the Wall of Mirrors stands testimony to the fact.

There is archaeological evidence to suggest that King Kashyapa I and his retinue were not the first inhabitants of Sigiriya. People, very often monks, lived in the caves and niches of Sigiriya rock, starting 3rd century BC.

The monumental rock was finally abandoned in the 14th century and was overrun by forests. Swallowed by the deep jungles of Sri Lanka, the Kingdom of Sigiriya was lost to the world for several centuries, only to be rediscovered by British archaeologists in the 19th century.

Sigiriya – An architectural masterpiece

Constructing an entire fortress on a massive rock column would not have been an easy task, especially in the 5th century. Add to it an interesting array of gardens, several layers of moats, walls covered with frescoes, galleries, staircases, and a rock face that looked like a lion’s – you are probably looking at one of the greatest creations in human history.

The ancient city of Sigiriya was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 for its mighty contribution to the world of urban planning.

Sigiriya and Ravana – Truth or Myth?

There’s a legend that says Sigiriya was home to Ravana, the prime antagonist of Ramayana, a Hindu epic. This was more than 5000 years ago. There are theories that suggest that Ravana and his court used a wooden elevator to go up and down the rock.

As fancy as this might sound, there is no empirical evidence to back this theory. However, there is ample scientific research that tells that the rock fortress of Sigiriya was a 5th-century creation. Unfortunately, the connection between Ravana and Sigiriya still remains a mere speculation.

Interesting facts about Sigiriya rock

Sigiriya rock has always been a source of intrigue and conjecture as is always the case with lost historical sites. Take the case of the Lost City of Teotihuacan or the Ancient Mayan Pyramid of Chichen Itza – each has interesting facts associated with itself. Needless to say, there are some intriguing facts about Sigiriya rock that you need to know before you visit.

• In the olden days, you had to enter a massive lion’s mouth to get to the royal quarters in Sigiriya. Don’t worry, it wasn’t a real lion but a huge brick lion structure that formed the northern face of Sigiriya. Even though much of it has been destroyed now, the paws of the lion still remain. This is the reason why Sigiriya is often referred to Lion’s Rock or Sinhagiri.
• Behind its powerful façade, Sigiriya hides a history that is stained by murder and betrayal. King Kashyapa of the Moriyan dynasty constructed the rock fortress as a sanctuary for himself after he had killed his father and usurped the throne from his half-brother. Read more in the history section here .
• Sigiriya rock was used as a Buddhist monastery before the reign of Kashyapa. It continued to be used for similar purposes after Moggallana defeated Kashyapa and moved the capital back to Anuradhapura.
• The royal citadel of Sigiriya stands on the top an enormous rock column that juts out 600 feet above the jungles of Central Sri Lanka.
• You need to climb more than 1200 steps to get to the top of Sigiriya rock fortress .

Things to do in Sigiriya

Visit the museum.

As soon as you enter the Sigiriya complex through the western gate, you will see a museum on your right. This is the Sigiriya Museum, a 2-storey building that you can access before entering the Sigiriya rock entrance gate.

I strongly recommend that you drop into the museum because it is really good despite having a rather plain exterior. The gallery contains really interesting displays that take you through the history of Sigiriya right from the prehistoric times to its restoration. You will get a good view of the fresco gallery too.

Dropping by will help you understand the ancient city of Sigiriya much better and appreciate various spots during the climb.

Walk through water and boulder gardens

As you enter the gates of Sigiriya rock fortress, you will notice a huge swathe of green gardens between you and the rock fortress.

Look around to see the beauty of the green spaces that surround you. There are miniature water gardens filled with pavilions, bathing pools, courtyards, and water courses. You will also see fountains which once used to work through the twin principles of gravity and pressure. Apparently, they still do but the moat needs to be quite full for it to happen.

Do not miss the octagonal pond at the end of the lane which is yet another impressive sight.

Check out Sigiriya’s caves and boulder gardens

Closer to the rock, you will see caves and boulder gardens that further add to the beauty and eccentricity of Sigiriya. You will see caves, boulder arches, and several rocks with drip-ledges to allow the passing of water.

Many of these caves were used by the monks that inhabited the complex before and after Kashyapa’s reign. You will see inscriptions in some and faint remnants of colorful frescoes in others. The Cobra Hood Cave and the King’s Audience Hall Rock are especially striking.

Be sure to notice small niches on outmarks on each of these boulders which are believed to have held other rocks/wooden platforms in position. It is quite possible that these boulders had other buildings on pavilions set up over them.

The boulder gardens almost feel like a transition from the water gardens to the bouldered-surface of Sigiriya rock.

Explore Sigiriya’s terraced gardens

Next up are the terraced gardens which once housed several wild and domesticated trees. Even though there isn’t much to see here, I would suggest enjoy your walk through this forested area until you get to the Lion’s Paw.

Get wowed by the Lion’s Paw

After climbing a steep flight of stairs from the terraced gardens in Sigiriya, you will get to the iconic Lion’s Paw. Remember the enormous lion sculpture that I spoke to you about? That begins here.

Located right before the summit, the Lion’s Paw is one of the most photographed locations in Sigiriya. It is believed that a full-fledged brick lion once sat crouching at this spot. You had to walk right up to the paws, climb the stairs into the lion’s mouth, and then begin your ascent into the Sigiriya citadel. The lion was colossal and could be seen from far away.

Visualize a huge lion staring out of a mountain – that’s how Sigiriya rock appeared to people centuries ago. Clearly, the rock was called Sinhagiri or the Lion’s Rock.

You can still climb the stairs but nothing other than the beast’s paws remain today though they are mighty impressive too!

Explore the ruins of a lost kingdom on the top

Once done with the Lion’s Paws, head straight up to the ruins on the top of the rock. The stairs to get to the top are numerous but not very steep.

On the top, you will find the ruins of the lost palace of King Kashyapa I. There are the remains of an Upper Palace, a large pond which was probably used for bathing purposes, a stone seat dubbed as the throne, and several living quarters. The place almost mirrors the ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, albeit on a much smaller scale.

One thing that I did not quite enjoy up here was the general lack of information panels about the royal quarters. That made it literally impossible to understand what was what. Helps to get a guide up here who can explain.

From the top, you will also get stunning views of the Sri Lankan jungles as well as a bird’s eye view of Sigiriya’s gardens and the walkway. You will also find a plaque that describes the gardens as one of the oldest surviving ones in Asia.

Plan to spend at least 30 minutes on the top of the Sigiriya rock fortress.

Check out the Mirror Wall

Next up on the Sigiriya bucket list is the Mirror Wall which once used to be polished and shiny. It was almost like a mirror where the king could check out his reflection and appreciate himself.

It is hard to say what material the wall was made of because nothing remains of the original wall today. Instead, we now have a wall covered with graffiti not from recent times but from the 6th – 12th centuries.

Remember when I told you that after Moggallana donated Sigiriya rock to the Sangha, monks and devotees thronged the place? They left their mark on the place by writing on the mirror wall which eventually came to be called the Sigiri graffiti. People usually wrote about the beauty of the damsels in the Fresco Gallery which is right next door.

Today, the wall has become an important piece in the research of medieval Sinhala language, phonetics, and literature.

Appreciate the damsels at the Gallery of Frescoes

After crossing the Mirror Wall, climb the spiral stairs that take you up to the Frescoes Gallery.

Here you will find paintings of the beautiful Sigiriya maidens that have been much talked about around the world. Almost 500 paintings once adorned several walls, caves, nooks, and corners of the Sigiriya rock fortress. Only 17 paintings remain today in the Frescoes Gallery.

These frescoes are one of the most valuable pieces of ancient Sri Lankan art. Photography is not allowed in the gallery.

Some say these women were King Kashyapa’s concubines. Others say they represent unearthly spirits called Apsaras or even Goddesses. It is hard to say for sure because there are no written records about the Sigiriya maidens.

End it with the Sigiriya viewpoint tour

Now this is something unusual that I did when I first visited Sigiriya. I had just finished exploring the Ancient City of Polonnaruwa and reached Sigiriya around 4 pm. I had no energy to climb the fortress.

What I instead did was take a tuk-tuk tour of the 10 best views of Sigiriya.

At the entrance to Sigiriya, you will find tuk-tuk drivers ready to take you on the tour. They charge something around LKR 2500 – 3000 ($12-15). There is a big poster right at the gate showing you the 10 best viewpoints of Sigiriya.

The driver will take you to these points and will also click your pictures if you want him to. Some of these points are quite inaccessible but are well worth it. Always good to have a local with you.

Things to do after visiting Sigiriya rock fortress

Visiting Sigiriya usually takes half-a-day of your time. Once done, you can spend the second half of your day relaxing one of the amazing hotels near Sigiriya or make a short trip to one the of three locations below.

Visit the rock-cut caves of Dambulla

Distance from Sigiriya: 11 miles (18 km) – Takes 30 minutes to get here

The rock-cut cave temples of Dambulla are yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site that totally need to be on your Sri Lankan bucket list.

There are 5 caves in the Dambulla complex of which the first 3 are the most impressive. The 2nd cave, called Cave of the Great Kings, has 56 odd statues of Buddha. The cave is covered with colorful frescoes that depict the life and teachings of Buddha. These frescoes are nearly a 1000 years old.

Also read: Ultimate guide to visiting Dambulla Cave Temple in Sri Lanka

You will need to climb around 350 steps to get to the Dambulla caves. If that sounds a little too hectic after the long Sigiriya climb, pick any one of the options below.

Enjoy an afternoon safari

There are several national parks near Sigiriya where you can enjoy an afternoon safari. Minneriya, Kaudulla, and Hurulu Eco National Park are some of the famous ones. They are all closeby and reachable within 30 – 45 mins from Sigiriya. Kaudulla is probably a little further away.

This area is especially popular for its collection of Asian elephants that you will spot in herds. Sometimes, they number up to hundreds.

I did a safari at Hurulu Eco Park the last time I visited Sri Lanka in November. However, it was raining most of the time and we barely saw any elephants. Just a couple of them here and there. My two cents – don’t do a safari in the rainy season.

Head to Pink Quartz Mountain

A lesser-known but interesting place to visit near Sigiriya is the Pink Quartz Mountain. Locally referred to as Jathika Namal Uyana, this place is an absolute delight for nature lovers and naturalists.

Here, you will find Sri Lanka’s largest ironwood forest (a species unique to this region) and pink quartz hills. Apart from that, Namal Uyana also has a historical significance because it was once a sanctuary for Buddhist monks.

Practical information for visiting Sigiriya rock fortress

Sigiriya rock opening hours.

The rock fortress at Sigiriya is open between 7 am to 5:30 pm. The ticket office closes at 5 pm.

Sigiriya ticket price

Tickets to Sigiriya are on the higher side, especially for foreigners. They are priced at $30 (6090 LKR) for foreigners. This includes Lions Rock and Sigiriya Museum. Children, 5-12 years of age, need to pay half, $15.

In case you wish to do only the museum, you can buy a ticket at $5.

Good news for citizens of SAARC countries – you need to pay only half of the ticket price. That means Sigiriya ticket for adults is $15 and for children is $7.5.

Please note that the ticket office does not accept cards. They only do cash, either in LKR (Lankan Rupees) or USD. LKR is preferred.

Best time to visit Sigiriya rock

The best time to visit Sigiriya is early in the morning. Come here at 7 am, right when the gates open. You will not only avoid the midday heat but also get the entire citadel to yourself. No bobbing heads in your pictures!

Climbing between 3 – 5pm is also great. However, you won’t get a lot of time to explore the citadel because climbing up and down can take up to 1 hour each way. I would prefer morning over late afternoon.

All about climbing the mighty Sigiriya rock

Sigiriya rock fortress in Sri Lanka has more than 1200 steps. I was quite apprehensive if I could do the climb myself given my lack of fitness. However, I completed the climb in less than 1 hour with lots of breaks in between.

The best part about the Sigiriya climb is the fact that it is not one monotonous hike. There are several interesting things to do on the way such as wandering the gardens, checking out boulder arches, ancient caves, the Fresco Gallery, and the Lion’s Paw. I

Recommended guided tours for Sigiriya rock fortress

If you are staying in and around Sigiriya, I recommend you do the rock fortress with a local guide. Ask for a guide at the hotel reception and they will happily arrange for one.

If you are staying either in Colombo or Kandy , I would recommend taking a tour. You will cover more ground and see things that you might otherwise miss. Day trips usually include one more attraction along with Sigiriya. I would be wary if they have more than one because that would be just touch-and-go. I definitely don’t recommend that for Sigiriya.

Here are some highly-rated guided tours of Sigiriya. Note that these tours do not usually cover admission charges.

• On this day tour from Kandy , you will visit both Sigiriya and Dambulla in your own private vehicle.
• This full-day tour from Colombo takes you to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Sigiriya Rock Fortress and Dambulla Cave Temples.
• If you are staying in Sigiriya or Habarana, this full-day tour will take you to Sigiriya and Minneriya National Park for a relaxed wildlife safari.

Where to stay in Sigiriya?

There are many wonderful places to stay in both Sigiriya and Habarana , suitable for all budgets. I stayed at Habarana Village by Cinnamon , a beautiful 4-star property featuring bungalow-style rooms, a picturesque swimming overlooking the lake, and a wonderful spread for breakfast. Totally loved my stay here – the food, the hospitality, the ambience – everything here was amazing.

If you are looking for a more affordable stay, try The Otunna Guest House , a sustainable property that is very close to the Sigiriya rock. Also have a look at il Frangipane that has spacious rooms, a beautiful garden, and delicious food.

Sigiriya rock fortress FAQ

What is sigiriya famous for.

Sigiriya is UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka that is famous for the mighty citadel that King Kashyapa I built on top of it in the 5th century AD. It is also home to the majestic frescoes of Sigiriya maidens as well as a colossal set of Lion’s Paws that once belonged to a crouching lion that adorned the rock’s northern face.

Who built Sigiriya?

King Kashyapa I, from the Moriyan dynasty of Sri Lanka built the Sigiriya Rock Fortress in 477 AD. Even before that (since the 3rd century BC), Sigiriya had been used as Buddhist monastery for centuries.

Why did King Kashyapa build Sigiriya?

King Kashyapa built Sigiriya rock fortress because it was inaccessible and made him feel secure from his brother and the people of his kingdom. Kashyapa had achieved the reign by unlawful means only after killing his father, King Dhatusena and usurping the rightful heir, his half-brother, Moggallana. He was always scared of being thrown over. That’s why he created the Sigiriya high castle from where he ruled for 18 long years.

When was Sigiriya fortress built?

Sigiriya fortress was built in 477 AD by King Kashyapa I of the Moriyan dynasty in Sri Lanka.

Is Sigiriya Ravana’s palace?

No, Sigiriya is not Ravana’s palace. There is no scientific evidence suggesting the presence of Ravana here.

How old is Sigiriya?

The Sigiriya rock, that was formed from a volcanic explosion, is billions of years old. However, earliest records of it being inhabited start showing up around 3rd century BC when it was used as a Buddhist monastery. Later, in 477 AD, King Kashyapa built the Sigiriya rock fortress over it. Therefore, Sigiriya rock is billions of years old, it has been inhabited for 5000 years, and it has been home to Kashyapa’s palace for more than 1500 years.

How tall is Sigiriya?

Sigiriya is 1144 feet (350 m) tall over sea level and 600 feet (180 m) tall over the nearby jungles of Sri Lanka.

How do you climb Sigiriya?

You can climb Sigiriya through a series of 1200 steps that lead all the way from the water gardens at the bottom to the rock citadel at the top. There are several stops in between where you can take a break and appreciate frescoes, architecture, and the scenery. Refer to our exclusive Sigiriya climbing guide for all details.

What are the Sigiriya frescoes?

Sigiriya frescoes are impressive paintings of maidens created more than 1500 years ago. They were drawn using natural colors on the walls of caves in Sigiriya. Apparently, more than 500 maidens once graced the walls of Sigiriya. Many of them were vandalized. Today, only 17 remain in a small niche of the Sigiriya rock.

What can visitors see in Sigiriya?

The best things that visitors can see in Sigiriya are the Sigiriya frescoes, a Mirror Wall with Sigiri graffiti, humongous paws of a brick lion, and the fascinating ruins of an upper palace on the top of the rock. Apart from that, there are also water gardens, boulder gardens, frescoed-caves, pavilions, and a Sigiriya museum to spend time at.

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• Exploring The Ancient City Of Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka

2 thoughts on “ Sigiriya Rock Fortress Sri Lanka – The Best Travel Guide ”

Beautifully captured Soumya. Sigriya is one of my best experiences on this trip and I am still overwhelmed with what we saw. Still digesting it all and ruminating over it. Super useful tips and lovely pictures.

Thanks Ami. Yes, Sigiriya was lovely for history lovers like you and me. It will take a lifetime to understand and digest, I believe.

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A Bookish Couple Smitten By Wanderlust

Travel interview with Stories by Soumya

Here’s our interview with Soumya from Stories by Soumya. Her amazing historical travels have always amazed us. We love her blog and would definitely recommend reading her blogs to anyone who loves cultural and historical travels!!! 

Questions for the Interview

1) Introduce yourself and your blog to our readers.

Hello Everyone! I am Soumya, freelance writer and full-time mom to an inquisitive 5-year-old. I am also the creator of Stories by Soumya .

Writing was my first love and traveling was always a passion. There came a phase in my life when I loved traveling more than writing and writing more than traveling!!! It was then that I decided to be a travel writer and capture the beauty of both my passions.

Initial plan was to capture my travel experiences through my project “Stories by Soumya”. They would mostly be personal stories – incidents like getting lost in Myanmar, losing my passport in Italy, or missing a train in Switzerland. But gradually I started writing about places I had visited, good things I had seen there, and hidden gems I had discovered. Readers started enjoying these posts. And I decided to do more of proper travel blogging. I absolutely love it now.

On my blog, readers can find travel guides, itineraries, and write-ups on world heritage sites & exotic cuisines. They can also find interesting/humorous anecdotes from my travels around the world. I have been to more than 20 countries around the world and I plan to incorporate stories from all of them over the next one year.

Readers can also follow me on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram to get regular updates.

2) What’s your style of travel?

I am more of a Cultural Traveller. I love to explore the history and the culture of a place more than anything else. That is why I am always on the lookout for historical destinations and places with vibrant food and cultural scenes. I intend to create a niche for my travel blog in the area of cultural travel in the future.

3)Which place are you from? What are the top 3 must visit places in your city?

I am from Bhubaneswar, The City of Temples in the eastern part of India. As the name suggests Bhubaneswar has a number of ancient temples, all of them richly carved. According to me, the 3 must-visit places in and around Bhubaneswar are the Sun Temple of Konark, the caves of Udaygiri and Khandagiri, and the Chilika Lake.

Konark houses an exquisitely-sculpted, chariot-shaped temple dedicated to Sun God. Chilika lake is Asia’s largest salt-water lagoon and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Just the perfect place for bird-watching. Udaygiri and Khandagiri are two hills filled with caves and rock-shelters cut into them. All of them present interesting sights and are must-see’s when you are in Bhubaneswar.

4)Do you like travelling Solo or with a Travel Partner. Why do you choose so?

I began my traveling journey with my husband. Our first trip together was to Vietnam in 2009. That was also my first international trip. And I absolutely loved it. We have been traveling together ever since and I haven’t really gotten bored of him. YET!

In all these years, a clear division of labour has worked out between us. He is usually the planner. Even though both of us pick the destination, he is the one who works out the details. I take pride in being the writer, the photographer, and the meticulous organizer of holiday needs, however small. We are a team and love to be one.

I would not, however, mind a trip on my own. Looking forward to one when my kid is a little older.

5) Your top 3 blogs on your website .

I love all my posts. I haven’t really written about all my trips. So there are many more interesting ones coming up. However, these 3 are my current favourites.

• The Best of Myanmar Traditional Food: Must-Try Dishes from The Burmese Cuisine
• Why Watching a Kecak Fire Dance Is A Must-Do In Bali
• A Day in Lothal: Experience Life from 5000 Years Ago

6) What is the message that you have for all aspiring Travel Blogger.

I would advise you to “take one step at a time”. Blogging can be overwhelming when you start off. It was for me. There were so many things to deal with. First, I had to figure out how websites ranked on Google and then had to go about optimizing a hundred different things on my blog. I am still learning, every day. And I understand that I cannot rush through. What I can do is create quality content and market it well.

7) The best piece of advice that you can give an amateur travel blogger aspiring to earn a passive income through blogging.

I haven’t monetized my blog yet. I shall come up with a tip once I do that.

8)Do you have any funny/strange travel story?

I do. In fact, I have many. You can find some of them on my blog under the category “Stories”. The best was a recent one when I got lost (well almost) in Myanmar. It was in the middle of the night and we were on a bus from Yangon to Mandalay. I had to rush to the loo in a crowded bus stand and then suddenly I was lost. I could not trace my way back and did not recognize anyone around me. I was in tears. To find out what happened next click below.

(Almost) Lost in Myanmar

9) If you could go back in time. Which ancient ruin from around the world would you choose to visit and explore. Why?

Oh, there are so many that I find it hard to choose one. I am a big history-buff and I can spend days imagining life in ruins of the past. Ruins have an amazing effect on me. They act as my loyal time machines and take me eons ago. And suddenly I become one among those ancient people. I have always felt this strange connect with ruins, an almost surreal one.

The connect was the strongest in Pompeii. Pompeii is an ancient Roman city that was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. I could visualize people running around on the streets when I was exploring Pompeii. I could smell the intense flavours wafting out of the kitchens. I could see the lava pouring in from Vesuvius. It was unfortunate that I could spend only a day there. I would love to go back there one day.

10)How does “Travel” make you feel? Can you share with us 3 top insights that you gained from your travels?

Travel makes me happy. I am usually a satisfied person. I seek happiness in the present and have regrets in my life. Travel has helped me tread this path. I cannot really split my gains into 3 different points. But by traveling more often, I have become more aware of people outside my own circle of family and friends. This has given me a more holistic perspective of the world and a greater appreciation of other cultures and traditions. Travel has also helped us, as a family, to walk the path of minimalism.

11)Name your top 5 bucket list travel destination and why do choose it?

My top 5 bucket list destinations are the following:

• Machu Picchu in Peru because of its historical importance. It is a ruin-lover’s pilgrimage.
• Greece because of the number of historical sites it possesses. Greece has been a vibrant cultural centre for centuries. You can smell history as you walk down its streets. I have been here once. Would love to go back.
• Morocco because of its colours and flavours. I would love to walk those narrow alleyways and taste some flavoursome Moroccan tagine.
• Pyramids of Egypt because of the pyramids, of course. Egyptian Pharaohs have tantalized my brains a good bit since childhood. So, I have to definitely see where they lie.
• Northern Lights of Scandinavia because of the almost unreal beauty they offer to the viewer’s eyes.

12)Do you have any tips on travelling with a pet?

Nope. I do not have pets. And I am really scared of dogs.

13) Where do you prefer to stay- Hotel, Hostel or AirBnB etc? Why?

We prefer to stay in hotels that are cheaper and have decent reviews. Airbnbs also work great as long as they meet our budget. Once in a while, we do love to splurge on pool villas but that is not very often.

14)As travellers we all love collecting Souvenirs. What do you love collecting?

I love collecting fridge magnets. This picture does not have magnets from all my trips but most of them. I find fridge magnets durable, easy to carry, and inexpensive.

15)When do you find time to blog on your travels? How long do you usually take to finish a blog?

I quit my job last year to become a full-time mom to my 5-year-old. I treat my blog as my second child, albeit a more understanding second child. I try to give it as much as time as possible when my kid is in school or napping. Plus, I schedule my routine tasks when everyone is around so that I can devote most of my me-time to my blog. I have given up my entertainment schedule for the second kid. My blog is my perfect entertainment.

The length of time for a post depends. Sometimes, I have written a post, worked on the pictures, and marketed it in less than 2 days. But then there are times when I have taken more than two weeks to do the same. I am trying to be more regular now.

16)Do you send postcards to your friends when you travel? If not postcards what souvenirs do you prefer to gift your friends?

No, I do not send postcards. Never been in a habit to do so. But I do buy fridge magnets for friends and family. They are easy to carry and my son gets to pick one for everyone. It is almost a ritual during our travels, now that I come to think about it.

17)What’s your favourite cuisine? Do you like trying out local food when you travel to places. If yes, what’s your favourite dish that you loved the most?

I am a foodie and I love trying out different cuisines. An all-time favourite is food from the Mediterranean especially from the Arab world. I can swoon over those amazing plates of hummus and batata harra.

My latest favourite has been the Ethiopian Cuisine with its soft brown Injera bread and delicious curries. You can read my post on the Nutritious and Communal Ethiopian Cuisine here .

18) When do you prefer to travel to a new place – peak season or off season? Why?

Usually off season if the weather is okay. Sometimes places can get very crowded in the peak season. A lot of time is lost waiting for turns. Alternately, off season allows you do things at your own pace. Plus, things are a lot cheaper then.

But so many things are available only in the peak season especially if you are talking about natural occurrences such as the Cherry Blossoms of Japan, Christmas Markets of Germany, or Northern Lights of Finland. No point doing off season there. So, it eventually turns out to be a mix and match of both.

19)How do you manage your travel expense? Do you have any particular suggestions for budget travellers?

We usually budget for our trips at the beginning of every year. This usually includes two international trips and 2-3 domestic ones. My husband and I are both minimalists. The only things we splurge on are trips and books. Also, we mostly travel “budget” so that we can save for the next trip.

If you are a budget traveller, it pays to plan in advance. However, planning is not always feasible for families with small kids. In those cases, it is useful to invest in good credit cards and frequent flyer programs. My husband is quite deep into airline miles and credit card points. These things have helped our travels quite a bit in the last few years.

20)If you had to draw a pie chart of your travel expenses. What would your top 5 priorities be?

Top priorities would definitely include a decent accommodation, good food, cultural experiences such as dance or music, an airline with good service, and entrance tickets to heritage sites.

21) What are the apps or resources that’s been an absolute life saver during travels or planning your trip?

I have a very interesting sense of direction, one that gets me lost many-a-time. Google Maps has been my lifesaver, definitely.

We use booking.com to look up hotel prices and Google flights to look up flights.

Now some quick questions

Name your dream destination for each word mentioned below:

1. Historical Place – Machu Picchu in Peru

2. Culture Travel – Most definitely some place in Africa, maybe Ethiopia or Senegal

3. Couple Travel- Japan because I am scared of getting left behind on the Tokyo Metro. I am sure my husband will pull me out. J

4. Solo Travel – The Havelis of Shekhawati in Rajasthan

5. Adventure (Water sports, for all adrenaline junkies)- Not a big fan of adventure but my dream adventure is Hiking up The Inca Trail

6. Nature and wildlife (Trekking, Camping etc) – Camping out in Serengeti

7. Favourite city – Aamchi Mumbai – New York City – London

Mumbai because it has always welcomed me with open arms every time I have come back. NYC and London because of the umpteen number of languages and cultures that I encounter on the metros and the hundred different cuisines that I encounter on the streets.

Travel Interview conducted by COUPLE TRAVEL TALES (Achu & Unni)!

Those who wish  to participate in our travel interview series ,please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] . 

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Nice .good and informative questions and well suited answerers..As told in the interview Amchi zMumbai the best

Coupletraveltales

Thank you ..we are glad you liked the interview.

Uma Kanta Mishra

Wonderful interview

Thank you. We are glad you liked it.

Share your views on the blog!! We'd love to hear from you😊 Cancel reply

Job and Career

Americana kuwait group recruitment 2022.

Americana Kuwait Group Recruitment 2022- Its very pleasure to inform you that Soumyaa Travel Bureau is hiring staff now, company has published their vacancies on the Soumyaa Travel Bureau's website's careers page, When we noticed that We were very happy to share with job seekers, and you can get every detail regarding this job in this post and also you can check it in company website too, and this is not free recruitment(there will be visa charges) there is an agency as intermediate, and our website is not recruiting team, we are just publisher, do further things with your own responsibility.

Disclaimer: Our website is not a recruiter just only an advertiser you can do further things with your own responsibilities. and our team never asks for money, and Never pays anyone for job applications, tests, or interviews. A genuine employer will never ask you for the payment in any case.

Company Name- Americana Kuwait

Qualification-Plus two

Benefits- Discuss in Interview

Gender- Male

Salary-Added Below

Duty Hours-9hrs/ 6 days

Age limit-21-29

Experience- Freshers can Apply

Job Location- Kuwait

Interview -Feb 8th, 2022

Contact Number-Added below

Available Vacancies in Leading Group of Kuwait

Dear job seekers, You can available vacancies below in this paragraph, just check it, if there are any vacancies matched to your profile, if your answer is yes, you can check the eligibility criteria and go-ahead to apply, and also you can contact recruiting team to know your resume status, and you will get a reply only if you are shortlisted by the Human Resources department, and wish you to have bright future from this job.

Post Name: Crew Members

Benefits- Free Room, 1-time meal

Basic Salary- 120KD

Age Limit- 21 - 29

HOW TO APPLY?

Soumya Travel Bureau warmly welcomes those who have a keen sense of interest in building a career by applying for Kuwait jobs. All candidates are requested to please take a few minutes to set up Their profile by visiting the following link below. Once the HR department of this company has received your CV, the recruitment team will review it thoroughly and you will get back to you if you are shortlisted. Below is the list of Kuwait Jobs, any individuals can apply as per meeting the criteria given

Contact: 9539790111/ 9539090333

Perm, Russia General info on the city of Perm A short intro... Perm is the most Eastern city of Europe, and therefore its province is often referred to as Eurasia. Having a population of 1 million, Perm' is one of the largest cities in Russia and the second largest in the Urals. The city was formerly called Molotov, after the minister of foreign affairs during Joseph Stalin's ruling. Perm stretches 65 km along the impressive Kama River - Europe's 4th largest river by length. The Perm province, "Permskiy Krai", or "Prikamye", is around two-third the size of the United Kingdom and covers a great area in the very heart of the Ural Mountains. Perm is internationally known as the name for the geological period (290 - 245 million years ago) in which the Ural Mountain Range was formed. In contrary to the Urals, Perm itself is rather young. Although the first settlement of Perm dates back to 16th century, officially it got its city status in 1723. Citizens still loudly celebrate Perm's birthday on 12th of June, with street parades, concerts and fireworks throughout the whole city! In spite of being a relatively young city, Perm played an important role in the history of Russia. Not the least part of this role was played by Ermak, who was from the Perm Province. Ermak, by order of the Stroganov family, gathered an army here and led it through the Urals, later to succesfully conquer Siberia for Russia. Afterwards, when a road was needed to connect Siberia with the west, construction was started in Perm, which was at that time the capital of the Ural region. The new road, together with the construction of the Trans Siberian Railroad, allowed development of the places east of the Urals - current big cities such as Ekaterinburg, Omsk and Novosibirsk, were merely peasant or miners' towns by that time. Nowadays, Perm basically owes its existence to two factors. Firstly the large amounts of natural resources (minerals, oil and timber) that are present in the region, and secondly (but not less important): its location. The mighty Kama River, the Great Trans Siberian Railroad and main motorways from Moscow/Kazan to Siberia all cross in Perm, making Perm a main Russian transportation hub. The city is the doorway from Europe to Asia and to Siberia in particular. During Soviet times, Perm was a proper fortress because of the huge military industry in its region. All artillery and rocket vehicles, as well as (intercontinental) ballistic rocket launching systems, engines for MiG jetfighters and canons of all ranges were (and in less proportions still are) produced in Perm. The Soviets did an excellent job in hiding Perm and keeping it secret. Most people from outside the Urals simply did not know of the existence of the - at that time - 1 million citizens of Perm. Until the end of the cold war, Perm did not appear on certain Soviet-made maps, nor did the roads towards it. Nowadays, Perm is obviously accessible to all. Actually, it currently is one of Russia's fastest growing cities because of its economical prosperity. Click here for specific information for visitors: Perm sightseeing / excursions and Perm hotels . Perm - 101% Russian, yet multicultural For Russian standards, Perm is one of the most multicultural places in the whole country; it is a home of many ethnic groups who have lived together in Perm ever since its existence. While taking a walk through Perm’s huge central bazaar one can easily distinguish Russians at the many typical small kiosks, Georgians and Armenians selling their original spicy kebabs and shoarmas straight from the barbecue and Tatars operating from most of the simple but colorful jewelry stands. Furthermore, Russian orthodox churches, a mosque, a synagogue and several Catholic churches (some dating from the 17th century) all exist next to each other in Perm. The multicultural character of Perm also shows in its dining possibilities; one does never have to go far to experience the Russian, Uzbek, Georgian or Caucasian cuisine. In spite of its multicultural character, Perm is “Russian till the bone”. Wide avenues, big squares and parks, many statues, dominant Soviet architecture, countless little kiosks, huge theatres and trolley busses everywhere - all make Perm as Russian as Russian can be. Being some 1400 kilometers away from the big influential cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, Perm is a relaxed place, where people have kept the typical Russian way of life and traditions. The Perm opera and ballet theatre After St. Petersburg and Moscow, Perm is Russia's leading city for opera and ballet theatre. Not only has the city got a wide range of stages and theatres, its educational bodies like the Russian Academy of Theatre Art and Institute for Culture and Art as well as its many international relations in theatre performances and education still give Perm the name of theatre city. One of the most famous stages is the Chaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre Perm. Among its repertoire are internationally known performances (for example Romeo and Juliet, Cleopatra, Aida, Cinderella, Le Nozze di Figaro) as well as Russian ones: most works of Chaikovsky have been staged here. Since 1948 the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre has been on tours throughout the whole world, performing in countries such as UK, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Germany and China. During its history, the theatre has received numerous (inter)national prizes. Another leading stage is the Perm Academic Drama Theatre, founded in 1927. Like the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Acamedic Drama Theatre has staged the world’s most prestigious Drama plays (for instance Ostrovsky, Shakespeare, Gorky and Tolstoy) and has it won many prizes for its work. Museums The Perm Art Gallery boasts a large collection of arts. Apart from numerous paintings of Flemish, French and Italian masters, it also has modern art collections on exhibition. The museum's collection is among the very largest ones in Russia. The museum is located in a former cathedral, now a landmark of Perm in the centre of the city. For those who are interested in the history and the culture of the Urals, the Regional Museum of Local Studies and History (founded in 1890) is definitely worth to visit. The museum boasts a wide variety of armory, coinage, pottery, handicrafts, archeology and minerals. It also tells about the Permian period, the geological era in which the Urals were formed. The partly open-air artillery museum at the northern end of the city centre displays all generations of rocket and artillery (vehicles), as constructed in Perm, as well as a wide range of information of the history of the industry. Actually, the city is known for its large war industry ever since late 1800’s. All cannons and artillery of former Soviet Union as well as engines for Tupolev and MiG aircrafts were (and in less amounts still are) manufactured in Perm. The museum offers detailed information on its wide range of warfare. The outside part of the museum can be entered free of charge at any time. This museum is a part of our city excursion . “ Khokhlovka ” (Open-air museum of and Wooden Architecture and Ethnography) is in fact a collection of original structures as they existed in the 17th century. Inside the buildings, all kinds of tools, handicrafts and clothes of that time are exposed. The guide will take you around the museum, telling about the hard life 300 years ago. You will be amazed by the beauty of the site; Khokhlovka is located on a green hill and offers great views over the Kama river and nearby villages. Architecture As for architecture, most profound buildings are situated in the city centre. The heart of the city is very unlike what one can expect from a city of over one million inhabitants. It completely lacks the usual modern glass buildings and tall skyscrapers that make up for most big cities’ centres. In fact, Perm’s centre is mostly made up by colorful, classic 3-storied mansions of Soviet architecture, making the centre breath a rather relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Among the most prominent buildings in the city are the centrally located "Young people's theatre", the Feodalyevskaya Church and the Dyagiliev Mansion. Furthermore, the Perm I train station is worth a look, as it is proper ancient (17th century). In the provincial towns surrounding Perm, such as Kungur, Solikamsk, Usolye and Osa, architectural highlights are dominated by mansions and factories which were built by the Stroganovs and Demidovs in the 17th century. In similar style, a large number of remarkable churches and cathedrals can be found throughout the Perm Province. Famous people In spite of Perm being a relatively unknown city, the city and its region brought forward many famous people. Ballet impressario Sergei Dyaghilev was born in Perm and spent early years of his life here. He became a sensation in Europe during 2 decades of his "Ballets Russes". Dyaghilev's former mansion in the centre of Perm is now a museum. Chaikovsky, one of the greatest composers ever, was born in a small town just south of Perm. Furthermore, Perm was home of Popov, the inventor of radio, and of Boris Pasternak, who wrote Dr. Zhivago here. The Stroganovs, the Demidovs and Tatishchevs in Perm make up for Russia's famous industrials. Ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev wrote history when he produced the ballet sensation "The Rites of Spring" in Paris in the early years of the 20th century. Sports For those who are more into sports rather than theatre, Perm has many possibilities. Especially in weekends, the offer is large. Football games of Amkar (promoted to Russia’s premier league in 2003) and “Molot-Prikamiye” (see club logo on the right) ice hockey matches take place frequently. Click here for all matches of Perm sports teams. Shopping Shopping in Perm is an experience on its own. Like most other cities in Russia, Perm has not got obvious Western-style shopping streets, although the central “Komsomolsky Prospekt” is steadily developing into one. New and modern stores are appearing in and around this proper avenue at a fast rate, among which mostly fashion, jewelry and dining places. For daily needs, the huge central bazaar is the most popular place. For any tourist, a visit to this site of countless little stands, shops and kiosks simply cannot be missed. The whole city comes together here, making the bazaar probably the most vivid place in Perm. Fruits, vegetables, clothes, cleaning products, tools, audio, sunglasses, kebabs, carpets, almost ANYthing can be purchased here, and usually for very little money too. The large building in the centre of the bazaar is the place where all kinds of meat and milk products are sold. For those looking for cheap clothing, the Chinese-Vietnamese market is the place to go. Decent but cheap is the main subject among the mainly Chinese trade-people at the market. Furthermore, several smaller markets (“rinki”) can be found all over the city, mainly at the crossings of major streets. A number of shopping malls serve those who like to have everything in one building. The biggest one is “Univermag” on the corner of Lenina and Komsomolsky Prospekt. Just across the road are many bakeries, cafés and kebab stands for a short break and a quick snack. Public Transport Perm has an extensive public transport system, operated by busses, taxi busses, trolley busses and trams. They take you to wherever you want to go in the city, even to far outskirts. The standard fare for any means of public transport is 13 rubles, to be paid to the conductor on entrance. Taxi busses start around 6:30 am and stop at 21 pm. All the other transport starts at 5:30 am and goes until 0:30 am. Taxis, naturally, drive 24 hours. If you do not know the city well, it might be difficult for you to find your way through the complicated public transport network. The best thing you can do is to ask the hotel receptionists or your host family which bus or tram number you need. Just remember the name of the stop you departed from, so it will be easy for people to give you directions back, just in case you are not sure which one to take. It is also possible to buy a city transport map at any paper/magazine kiosk, they cost around 2 euro. Events in Perm Events in form of sports and theatre take place nearly every day, one shall not get bored! Most interesting performances of ballet, drama and opera are staged at the Drama Theatre, which is located on Lenina Street, at the central square. The Perm Academic Theatre offers all kinds of famous plays, both Russian and international, and has a full events calendar every day of the month. Matches of Molot Prikamye (ice hockey) take place at the Molot Stadium, which is loacated in the eastern part of Perm. Amkar plays Russian premier league football in stadium "Zvezda", which is in the city centre. Celebrations throughout the city often take place on Russian national holidays: December 31st, New Year January 7th, Orthodox Christmas February 23rd, Day of Defender of Motherland (fireworks) March 8th, Women's Day May 1st, Spring and Labour Day May 9th, Victory Day (military parades in city centre) June 12th, Independence Day and birthday Perm city! (huge fireworks at midnight) November 4th, National Accord Day Furthermore, several occasional as well as annual music, theatre, folklore and anniversary festivals take place in Perm and its region. There is always something to celebrate in Perm! Perm city map A map of Perm city centre, as well as a province map, you'll find on a seperate page. Click here for Perm city map . Perm Weather & Climate Russia is renowned for its long and cold winters. In case of Perm in particular, this is only partly true. Perm has a temperate continental climate: winters are by far not as harsh (average day temperature in January is -15C) when compared to the more eastern parts of the country. Summers are usually very sunny and warm, averagely +25C in July- and August day times. During those months, many citizens can be found sunbathing on the Kama beaches. Current weather:   -->

Meet Soumya Nambiar, A Solo Female Travel Influencer And A Woman Entrepreneur | Holidify

What was the turning point where you decided to become a travel influencer? I have been travelling for a long time. Around 3.3 years ago, I wrote a post about my trip to Italy and I got a really good response to that post. I started writing more regularly and got serious about blogging around 2 years ago.

What do you think is the most important thing young woman solo travellers need to know before exploring places on their own?

What is your favourite place in the world and what makes it so special?

Are most of your travels paid advertisements or do you take trips independently? How do you sustain your travelling lifestyle?

As a vegetarian traveller, how do you plan your food options when you travel abroad?

Your Instagram profile seems to be entirely travel-centric. How do you manage to compete with Lifestyle-travel Influencers? Any advice for the aspiring travel influencers?

What is the toughest challenge of travelling a lot through the month? Do you miss the stability of staying in one place at any point?

And the last question, what does the average day look like for a solo woman traveller?

This post was published by Holidify.com

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Tech Toilets: Why You’ll Love Public Restrooms in Japan

Soumya was captivated by Japan’s cleanliness, orderliness, and quiet respect, a world away from the bustling chaos of major cities, exclusively for Different Truths.

During my brief visit to Japan recently, what struck me the most, was the incredible cleanliness, orderliness, discipline, politeness, honesty, and silence everywhere.

Busy streets in areas like Gariahat or Karol Bagh or Churchgate, where the roads are sparkling clean, there’s no jostling and complete silence. Bullet train with commuters, 60 second stops and no pushing, everyone traveling in total silence.

As tourists aren’t trusted to behave well, they’re restricted to the last two compartments, but we skipped our booked seats and travelled in the unreserved compartments to get the feel.

Even in the world’s busiest crossing with the statue of the dog, Huthinko, with the heart-rending story, with millions of tourists taking pictures, there was no litter, despite there being no dustbins, ever since a serial bombing involving dustbins. Everyone not only carried their litter home but picked up after the more careless tourists.

Leave alone our cities, the great metropolitan centres… are untidy bedlams in sharp contrast.

Leave alone our cities, the great metropolitan centres of Manhattan, London, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Istanbul are untidy bedlams in sharp contrast.

People feel upset if you count the change and are insulted if you offer tips. After the tip culture of Europe and USA and baksheesh culture back home, this was a culture shock.

We’re warned of pickpockets in Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, New York, London, Johannesburg and everywhere else, and seen plenty of examples of this, but here, they assured us that even if we leave our wallet in a park, we’ll get it back untouched. I did leave cash in my hotel drawer, and it was there as assured.

The petrol station attendants bow to the driver after filling the tank, and the bus driver polishes the hubcaps during stops.

Strangers are unbelievably helpful…

Strangers are unbelievably helpful; a shop assistant left his shop to take a lost tourist to the police kiosk as he didn’t speak English.

I kept wondering, are we the same species?

But the most remarkable thing about Japan is it’s public bathrooms. Absolutely free, its sparkling clean and dry, and no touch required. The seats open on approach, shut and self-flush when you’re done. Seats are heated, and there’s a direction pressure temperature-controlled bidet built in with a console to control it by the seat, with graphic instructions. It’s worth going to Japan just to poop. There’s even warm air to dry you, deodorisers, and noise masking facilities to avoid embarrassing situations.

After paying three euros for loos everywhere in Europe and hoping that they’re clean, and back home using them with cotton wool stuck in the nose, eyes averted and praying we don’t catch unmentionable diseases, this was toilet heaven, and a typical example of the kind of people they are.

Of course, I know that they are ultra conservative, hierarchical, patriarchal, suspicious of foreigners, justifiable I feel … and almost robotic, but it is such a wonderful contrast to the chaotic, hostile, unhygienic, noisy world outside those islands.

They do let off steam after work, in the pubs, hanging up their coats and briefcases…

They do let off steam after work, in the pubs, hanging up their coats and briefcases, they get roaring drunk and shout and laugh, but keep to themselves. No jolly camaraderie of the watering holes in the rest of the world. Even in hotel lifts, people don’t meet your eye or wish you  Kone Wachi , but bow deeply if you do and respond.

I won’t speak about the usual touristy stuff about Japan that you must anyway be familiar with, but touched upon the unusual things that struck me.

I will write separately about Sakura and the bomb, the octopus in the salad and the zen of art but let me share an unknown titbit that I came across… believe it or not.

Our own Namo is a fashion icon in Nippon ever since the international summit, with his colour combos. Earlier men’s wear came in three colours, black, white, and grey, but now four more are added. A lady guide admitted that women didn’t watch the news earlier, but now follow him to see what he’s wearing.

Moreover, Indian tourists have flooded Japan, leading to warnings in loos to not stand on the seats… in one place, even in Hindi.

Indian restaurants are ubiquitous and must be avoided. Ditto Indian tourists who sing  antakshari  and bargain and complain loudly, frightening the locals.

The tourists apart, Japan is a wonderful experience.

Photos by the author

Soumya Mukherjee

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Sports Complex Olympia

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Sports Complex Olympia - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Mon - Fri 7:00 AM - 10:30 PM
• Sat - Sun 8:00 AM - 10:30 PM
• (0.12 mi) Four Elements Hotels Perm
• (0.09 mi) Hostel BP
• (0.20 mi) Hostel Kosmonavta
• (0.20 mi) Sofi
• (0.36 mi) Kama Business Hotel
• (0.01 mi) Steak house
• (0.12 mi) Four
• (0.07 mi) Baskin-Robbins
• (0.10 mi) Pelmeshki Da Vareniki
• (0.09 mi) McDonald's

Cities [ edit ]

• 58.013889 56.248889 1 Perm — the capital is a major industrial city with nearly one million residents
• 57.433333 56.933333 5 Kungur — a small 17th century city with some fine 18th century architecture; near the Belogorsky Monastery and excellent spelunking opportunities in the Kungur Ice Cave

Other destinations [ edit ]

Understand [ edit ].

Perm, the capital, is the main attraction in Perm Krai, which sees travelers coming through on the Trans-Siberian Railway .

Talk [ edit ]

See Russian phrasebook .

Get in [ edit ]

There are three international flights per week to Perm ( PEE  IATA ) from Frankfurt (6 hours). Domestic flights arrive daily from Moscow (2 hours) and nearby Yekaterinburg . Flights from Saint Petersburg are less frequent, but also take just 2 hours.

The Trans-Siberian Railway runs through Perm Krai and stops at Perm and Kungur.

Get around [ edit ]

See [ edit ].

• Permyakia — a large, but sparsely populated region in the northwest of Perm Krai, where ethnic Komi-Permyaks constitute a majority

Do [ edit ]

Events [ edit ].

• Mosquito Festival , Berezniki . Annual, three days, mid-July . Gather at a local pond to celebrate the bloodsucking insects. Music, dancing, "most delicious girl" competition (in which the winner is the one with the most mosquito bites), competition to catch the most live mosquitoes and even a man dressed as a giant mosquito. Absurd events for adults and children.  

Eat [ edit ]

Drink [ edit ], stay safe [ edit ], go next [ edit ].

The next stops on the Trans-Siberian Railway are Glazov , Udmurtia to the west and Pervouralsk , Sverdlovsk Oblast to the east.

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California Today

San Francisco Celebrates Its New Public Toilet

The town threw a party for the opening of a $1.7 million public restroom.

By Heather Knight

San Francisco closed the lid Sunday on the saga of a $1.7 million public restroom . To commemorate the commode’s installation, residents celebrated at a “potty party” they called the Toilet Bowl.

Lookie-loos lined up in the Noe Valley Town Square to give the loo a whirl. A band played songs including “Sloop John B” by the Beach Boys. (“This is a song about a john!” the band leader explained.) Children sipped lemonade and ate chocolate cupcakes while they tossed bean bags into plastic training potties on the ground.

San Francisco may have been a laughingstock over the news that it planned to spend $1.7 million to construct a single public restroom with a sink and toilet, getting skewered by late-night comedians and inspiring the “it” costume at Halloween parties.

But on Sunday, the city got the last laugh.

“We wanted to, you know, really roll with it,” said Zach D’Angelo, dressed as a giant roll of toilet paper with a red plunger as his hat. D’Angelo, the host of Tuesday night trivia at a pub down the street, served as the Toilet Bowl’s emcee — or, as he put it, the Grand Poobah.

“I am flush with excitement!” he exclaimed before he started telling toilet jokes that he said he had gotten from his 7-year-old nephew.

The mood wasn’t quite so lighthearted in October 2022 when city officials announced a news conference in the Noe Valley Town Square to celebrate securing $1.7 million in state funds to build the 150-square-foot restroom — enough money to buy a whole single-family house in the city.

The square was built in 2016 with outdoor seating, a playground and plumbing for a public toilet, but no actual toilet, because money for the project had fallen short.

Just as puzzling as the price tag was the timeline. The city said it would take two to three years to install the restroom, even after it secured the state funds.

Neighbors and a local journalist (well, me) began to question the details of the project. City officials explained the toilet would have to be approved by numerous city commissions. It would also be subject to environmental review. All that, plus the high cost of construction in the city, made the project expensive and time-consuming.

Politicians began distancing themselves from the bathroom brouhaha. Gov. Gavin Newsom took back the state money.

Then, Chad Kaufman, president of the Public Restroom Company, offered to donate a modular toilet instead. He and Vaughan Buckley, the chief executive of Volumetric Building Companies, paid for architecture and engineering work to get the site ready. They also paid for a truck to carry the modular toilet to the square, a crane to lift it into place and union labor to install it.

The tab for the city dropped to $200,000, and Mayor London Breed announced legislation that she said would help bring down the cost of other public projects. It would let city departments team up to get group discounts on goods and services for small jobs. The state gave the $1.7 million back to San Francisco again, and the city says it will be used to build more toilets.

In the end, the new red restroom in the Noe Valley Town Square was worthy of celebration. On Sunday, a woman doled out toilet trivia. Local librarians handed out free copies of children’s books entitled “Everyone Poops” and “Time to Use the Potty.” There was a toilet-themed costume contest with whoopee cushions as prizes.

Three San Francisco politicians — Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, State Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblyman Matt Haney — addressed the crowd. Haney posed for a photo in front of the bathroom.

“It’s not gold-plated, but it’s worth its weight in gold,” he said with a laugh.

Debra Niemann, director of the Noe Valley Association, a neighborhood improvement group, said she didn’t think the toilet travails had done much to make city projects, including public restrooms, any cheaper to build.

“But at least we got one,” she said. “It’s beautiful. It’s clean. It’s simple. It’s everything you could want in a public toilet.”

Heather Knight is the San Francisco bureau chief of The New York Times.

The rest of the news

Gov. Gavin Newsom is ready to propose legislation to make it easier for Arizonans to seek abortions in California , Politico reports.

A new television ad portraying a woman being stopped by the police as she tries to leave her state to obtain an abortion, will air today in Alabama ; the ad was produced by a political action committee created by Newsom.

Southern California

The official residence of Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles was broken into while the mayor and her family were inside . Her office said that the intruder was taken into custody and that neither the mayor nor anyone in her family were injured.

The University of Southern California said it would eliminate outside speakers and honorees from its main commencement program, after protests erupted over the school’s decision to cancel a speech by the class valedictorian.

Fifteen people were injured in a crash involving a tram at Universal Studios Hollywood, NBC Los Angeles reports.

Roman Gabriel, quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams for 11 of his 16 seasons in the N.F.L., died on Saturday at his home in Little River, S.C. He was 83 .

Northern California

The Alameda police officers who pinned a man face down for about five minutes will face charges of involuntary manslaughter in the man’s death, prosecutors said.

Golden Gate Ferry service between San Francisco and Sausalito was suspended indefinitely after a routine inspection of the Sausalito pier found a structural problem, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.

And before you go, some good news

Sacramento is one of the Top 50 U.S. cities on Money’s list of the best places to live in 2024, The Sacramento Bee reports. The list cited the city’s “vibrant cultural scene” and specifically mentioned Crocker Art Museum, B Street Theater and the Farm-to-Fork Festival.

Thanks for reading. We’ll be back tomorrow.

P.S. Here’s today’s Mini Crossword .

Soumya Karlamangla and Briana Scalia contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at [email protected].

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Heather Knight is a reporter in San Francisco, leading The Times’s coverage of the Bay Area and Northern California. More about Heather Knight

Museo Soumaya: Planning Your Visit

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

Museo Soumaya

Visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to museums in Mexico City . In fact, it's one of the world cities with the greatest number of museums, and whether you're interested in art, history, culture, or archaeology, you'll find something that's sure to be of interest. One outstanding museum with two separate locations is the Museo Soumaya. This private art museum, owned and managed by telephone mogul Carlos Slim and filled with his private collection, is best known for its modern, innovative architecture at the Plaza Carso location in the Nuevo Polanco area. The museum is named after Slim's late wife, Soumaya, who passed away in 1999.

The Collection

The museum's collection holds over 66,000 pieces of art. The collection is quite eclectic, with the largest part being made up of European art dating from the 15th to the 20th century. However, the museum also contains Mexican art, religious relics, historical documents, and a large assortment of historical Mexican coins and currency. Slim has said that the collection's emphasis on European art is to offer Mexicans who can not afford to travel the opportunity to appreciate the art of Europe.

The distinctive architecture of the Soumaya Museum building at Plaza Carso is a major highlight in itself. This six-story building is covered with 16,000 hexagonal aluminum tiles, which is perhaps a modern take on the city's traditional colonial ceramic-tiled building facades, and their reflective quality gives the building a different appearance depending on the weather, time of day, and the viewer’s vantage point. The overall shape is amorphous and the architect describes it as a "rotated rhomboid" and some have suggested it alludes to the shape of a woman's neck. The interior of the building is somewhat reminiscent of the Guggenheim Museum in New York with its white circular ramps that travel from top to bottom.

While the building is a work of art in itself, there's plenty to goggle at inside, as well. The Soumaya Museum has the largest collection of Auguste Rodin sculptures outside of France, as well as works by European masters like Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Joan Miró, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, and Claude Monet. Apart from making European art more accessible to local residents, the museum also highlights artists from Mexico and Latin America. Mexico's three most important muralists—Diego Rivera, Siqueiros, and Orozco—are all on display. Make sure you see Rivera's final mural, "Río Juchitán," a nearly 30-foot long piece that's painted on both sides.

Visiting Museo Soumaya

• Locations : The Soumaya Museum actually has two locations, the original Plaza Loreto building in the southern area of Mexico City and the newer Plaza Carso location in the north of the city. Both are worth seeing, but if you're looking for "the" Museo Soumaya, it's the newer location that you want with its eye-popping architectural design.
• Hours : Both the Plaza Loreto and the Plaza Carso locations are open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m to 6:30 p.m.
• Admission : Admission to the Soumaya Museum is free for all visitors.
• Visitor Tip : When visiting the Plaza Carso location, take the elevator to the top floor, an exhibition space filled with natural light, and take your time walking down the ramps, enjoying the art all the way to the bottom. After visiting the Soumaya museum, head just across the street where you'll find the Museo Jumex, which is another of the city's excellent privately-owned museums. 

Getting There

If you're going to the Soumaya Museum, you're probably heading to the Plaza Carso location in the Polanco neighborhood. If you're comfortable navigating Mexico City's bus system, there's a bus stop right in front of the museum's entrance. Otherwise, you can take the metro to the Polanco station, but it's about a 25-minute walk from the station to the museum. The simplest way to get there is to call a radio taxi or use a ride-sharing app like Uber, although Mexico City traffic may cause delays.

If your destination is the smaller Plaza Loreto location, the transportation options are similar. It's located in the San Angel district and you can take a bus directly to the museum, but the nearest metro stop—Miguel Angel de Quevedo—is about a 25-minute walk away.

Another option for getting to the Plaza Carso museum is to sign up for the city-wide bike share program, known as EcoBici . You'll have to pick up a physical card from a city office after signing up, but it's a convenient way for moving around the city and there's a bike station right in front of the museum (the EcoBici coverage area doesn't reach the Plaza Loreto location).

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