06 March,2022 08:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Aastha Atray Banan
Krabi
The writer remembers talking to bloggers Savi Munjal and Vidit Taneja back in 2008. They were just starting out, travelling with backpacks and lofty dreams. Today, they have 1.2 million followers on Instagram, and have crossed through 96 countries. "Life has come a full circle," laughs Savi. The couple's first book, Bruised Passports: Travelling the World as Digital Nomads (HarperCollins India), released recently, and is aimed at helping wannabe adventurers travel the world on a budget.
Now that the world is opening up again, they recommend six top places you can head to without burning a hole in your pocket.
It's Thailand, but it's not Bangkok. Once again, very affordable, and unlike Lake Atitlán, here, you are literally by the beach. You can experience a beautiful mix of islands, but also a lot of hustle and bustle, the fastest possible WiFi, and the most affordable food in the world. There are a lot of people in the city, but you can take a long-tail boat or a yacht to take off to the islands, where nobody is to be seen. For someone who doesn't want to live in a villa in the fields and find a gecko in their bed, Krabi has comfortable condos right on the beach. Oh, and the nightlife is rocking.
We have spent the largest chunk of our time in Bali, especially Ubud. It's not just affordable for Indians, but there is also something beautiful to see every day. You can walk to a waterfall or hike to a volcano - you never run out of things that can be turned into content for social media. The food is affordable, nutritious, and not junk. There are little stalls on the roadside that serve Nasi Goreng or Mie Goreng, soups, sate, grilled tofu, soya bean stew - it's truly farm to fork. The vegetarian and vegan options are almost as many as non-vegetarian. Try and find a cheap villa that will cost around Rs 4,000 a night. The one we stayed at overlooked expansive paddy fields.
Bali almost feels like Asia, so you are in your comfort zone. If you want to challenge yourself, go to Lake Atitlán in Gautemala. Most people speak Spanish there, so you may face a slight linguistic challenge. But to be there is other worldly - they are different villages on the banks of the lake, with distinct cultures. WiFi is super fast, but there are no supermarkets. Instead, there are local markets which sell the freshest avocado and other produce. We found an apartment that overlooks the lake, for R4,000 a night. You can spend your days strolling through different villages, some of which are busy, but some scattered with ruins of Mayan temples and churches. It's like an onion - the layers reveal as you keep peeling.
In India, Munnar easily has some of the most breathtaking scenery you would've seen. We stayed there for two weeks, and there was so much to explore; the green landscape doesn't end - tea plantations and waterfalls. There are beautiful service apartments to live in. But unlike Krabi, it's dead after 6 pm, unless your idea of a good time is reading a book and listening to cicadas.
But if you want to make it a cheaper vacation than you would in Portugal, go to Montenegro. The panoramas are great, the food is a mish mash of flavours of Italian and seafood, and the supermarkets have lots of wines and cheeses to make picnic baskets of. And all for half the European rates of Portugal.
The coastline in Portugal is called The Algarve, and is known for its Atlantic beaches. It has small towns and villages that dot the coast, and few of the common ones see a lot of tourist traffic. The accommodation is affordable at Rs 3,000-Rs 3,500 a night. The WiFi is fast, the cars are cheap to rent and there is a lot of fresh seafood to try. There are also many supermarkets, where one can buy affordable meals and cook-at-home ingredients. The tavernas also do cheap and fresh meals. The clubbing scene is good too.
For Savi, a digital nomad is someone who needs uber-fast WiFi, affordable housing that can be rented for months, and cheap eating options. They also look out for connectivity - if the place is easy to fly in and out of - and if there are cars and bikes to rent. Also, it's imperative that gyms, yoga classes, and parlours are affordable. enough to avail of.
We are looking to visit and write about interesting places of stay and travel, near and far. If you wish to host us for a fair, engaging experience review, write to us at smdmail@mid-day.com
