Nomadic Shoes Travel Quiz Contest

Calling all travel junkies and quiz enthusiasts. Nomadic Shoes brings to you a travel quiz to quench your thirst for knowledge and travel together. Answer the following questions to win amazing prizes. Read the instructions carefully to participate in this quiz. Hope you have fun.

1. “Gar Firdaus Bar-ru-e-zamin Ast. Hamin Ast wa Hamin, Ast wa Hamin Ast” – If there is a paradise on this earth, it is this, it is this, none but this – this is the couplet engraved on the ceiling of what?

2. This term was first used by Martin Wayfarer to describe the New York City. It is believed that a writer from New York Morning Telegraph overheard some African American stable workers using this term to describe New York`s racing scene. He liked it so much that he decided to used the term for his racing column. Hint: . This term is also a form of dance which was all the rage in Harlem nightclubs in the ’20s and ’30s. Name the term.

3. The image below is a tomb in Paris of a famous personality from the world of literature. Thousand of tourists visit this monument every year. A very peculiar custom is followed here which has forced the government officials in Paris to erect a glass barrier around the tomb. Whose tomb and what is the custom?

4. This American hiker was known under the name of  Alexander Supertramp, who is most famous for exploring the Alaskan wilderness. Before starting his journey he donated all his inheritance to a charitable organisation that works for hunger prevention. On his journey he consumed some poisonous seeds which lead to a condition called Lathyrism resulting in paralysis. His untimely dead due to starvation was moaned by the traveling community as a whole. Name him.

5. `X` at Udaipur was constructed by Maharana Jai Singh and it was presented to his youngest Queen who hailed from Panwar family of Bijolia. As per hearsay, it is believed that whenever the Queen was annoyed with the Maharana she used to leave his palace and lead a segregated life at this place and hence the name of this place `X`was inspired by this story. Which place?

6. The psychological phenomena that describes this term attributes that `X` are those people who are driven by strong desire to escape and leave behind feelings of guilt. Bipolar disorder is also been linked to `X`. In young age, restrictions at home may also lead to this condition. The term literally means `a strong desire to travel`. What term?

7. In the old days this place was known for four things: Gadha [donkey], Garda [dust], Garmee [heat] and Goristan [graveyards], but what sets this town apart from other Central Indian towns is that here you will find:

• A Granth Sahib signed in gold by Guru Gobind Singh
• A mosque with a Sanskrit inscription
• Empress Mumtaz Mahal`s Hammam

Name the place.

{Question courtesy Outlook Traveler}

8. Sindapur, Sandabur, Nelkinda and Mahassapatam are some of the historical names for which Indian state?

9. According to legend, when Shiva and Parvati were walking in the Parvati Valley, Parvati dropped her earrings. A serpent God named Shesha seized the ear rings and refused to return it back. Shiva had to perform the cosmic dance to get the jewels back. Name this pilgrimage center with which this story is associated.

10. Jetwings: Jet Airways

        Spice route: Spice Jet

        Hello 6E: ……………….

Fill in the blank.

Contest rules:

1. You must be 18 years or older to enter and win.
2. You must `LIKE` our page on Facebook and share any one of our posts on your timeline https://www.facebook.com/nomadicshoes
3. Only entries that correctly answer all the questions will qualify to win.
4. Leave your full name, age and address with your entries.
5. Write in 30 words why you love travelling below in the comment section with your answers.
6. Post a travel picture clicked by you on twitter and hash tag us. Please use #nomadicshoes so that i can keep a track.
7. Selection of winners will be done randomly.
8. Last date for submission of your entries is 25^th December 2013.
9. Winners will be announced on 6^th January 2014.
10. This contest is open for only Indian nationals.

Prizes:

• First Prize winner will get a Travel book, a goodie bag with Nomadic Shoes merchandise worth Rs. 1000 and 10% discount on any one of our future trips.
• Second prize winner will get a Travel diary, a goodie bag with Nomadic Shoes merchandise worth Rs. 500 and 10% discount on any one of our future trips.
• Third prize winner will get a Travel diary, goodie bag with Nomadic Shoes merchandise worth Rs. 300 and 5% discount on any one of our future trips.
• Five consolation prizes will also be given away. They will win a goodie bag with Nomadic Shoes merchandise worth Rs. 300

Best of luck!!!

Gift ideas for the traveler in your life

As the holiday season is approaching, the race for finding the best gift option for your loved one will eat up your peace of mind. While there are traditional gift options available in abundance in the market this year, but we have come up with gift ideas that will blow his/her mind. Whether the traveler in your life is a tough nut or a romantic soul, there are some practical gift ideas for him/her. Finding the ideal gift for your man/woman can be as tricky as hell. A traveler will not get smitten by strawberry filled chocolates, a branded formal shirt or a giant size soft toy. I am sure you yourself don`t want to come out as a love struck.

Make your loved one feel special this holiday season with our gift ideas guide to buy that perfect gift that can be useful to them.

Find the perfect gift for your loved one:

1. Portable mobile charger

One of the most important things that a traveler needs while travelling is a portable mobile charger. It is best suited for emergency situations when you are in or out of town and suddenly realize that your mobile phone is drained out of battery when you need to make that emergency call. In this new techie world we are so dependent on gadgets that we can`t imagine a life without them. A portable mobile charger holds up the battery for a long period of time, its light weighted and hence easy to carry, comes in sleek and colorful designs. So whether you are stuck in an isolated island or getting lost on a mountain top with no source of electricity, a portable mobile charger will come for your rescue.

Where can you find it?

http://www.ecomaxproducts.com/products-emergencymobilecharger.html

http://shopping.rediff.com/product/wireless-portable-mobile-charger/11548911

2. Customized sleeping bag

If the guy/girl you are dating is a camper then gifting a customized sleeping bag is a very thoughtful idea. Every camper/trekker requires some basic camping accessories that they need to have in order to have safe travel experience. A customized sleeping bag can be made to order. You can make it according to your height, add double layer quilted construction seals or a hood to save you from those shivering cold nights. A good sleeping bag should have the following qualities:

• It should dry up quickly
• Non allergenic.
• It should ideally have a two zipper as it will help in converting it into a double bed
• Get stash pockets for your sleeping bag
• If its for a woman then it should be narrower at the shoulder and wider at the hips
• One can ask for a pillow pocket in the sleeping bag for that sweet and comfortable night sleep anywhere in the world.

So, if you are thinking of gifting a sleeping bag to the wanderlust in your life then keep the above mentioned points in mind.

Where can you find it?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Himalayan-GEAR-wilderness-equipment-store/221812207900040

3. GoPro Hero 3+ Camera

There are many types of photographers, some love to click landscapes whereas some go for documenting their travel experiences. If your better half is the one interested in adventures then buying him/her a GoPro Hero 3+ Camera seems like a practical gift. With this your guy/girl will be able to relive his/her dream adventure. You will surely win his/her heart with this gift.

Where will you find it?

http://gopro.com/cameras

4. Books

Nothing can beat the traditional gift option of books. A person`s best friend in every situation. A traveler would love any book related to distant places or an autobiography of a traveler to get inspiration. Some books that your traveler might like:

• As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee
• The Beach by Alex Garland
• In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin
• A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush by Eric Newby
• Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Where will you find it?

http://www.flipkart.com/into-the-wild/p/itmczysj5j36gxhj

5. Tickets to their dream destination

The best gift you can give someone is the gift your time. Buy tickets to his/her dream destination and take them out for a trip, where only you two will spend some quality time together. Away from the maddening crowd, tucked safely into the wilderness, the two of you can make a world of your own.

Think beyond the same old Christmas gift; add a little bit of personalized touch to it to make it more thoughtful and meaningful. This year sweat it out a little so that he/she knows that they are special in your life.

Are you a Wanderlust?

This year during my summer holidays, I embarked upon my first solo travel. After many hitches and inhibitions, I finally decided to go solo and since then I have been traveling like a crazy woman obsessed with exploring new places. All day I just think about the places I want to go, I religiously devote at least 3 hours each day in browsing about exotic locations that may find place in my travel diary.

So it got my grey cells to work, is there any particular personality type that loves travelling? or is there any symptoms of addiction for a wanderlust? I complied some pointers that are common between people who share the love for travelling.

Lets find out what are they:

• A person who loves travelling will feel all jittery if they don`t travel anywhere in a few months
• The channels marked in your T.V under favorite section are all travel channels.
• You starts planning about your next trip as soon as you are back from one.
• You compare prices of things before buying them in terms of how much it will help you in your next trip , “I can stay in Manali for two days instead of going out for a movie and popcorn in Delhi”.
• Your social network accounts are filled with travel related posts.
• You feel at ease in strange places and among stranger people.

If you answered `Yes` to all the above mentioned statements, then you surely are a wanderlust. Get going, pack your bags and go explore the hidden treasures of the world.

Happy Traveling!!!

 

Delightful Gorubathan, West Bengal

The Fascinating splendor of Gorubathan in West Bengal took me by surprise, I wasn`t expecting such a unique and lush green place. One can enjoy varied activities like Riverside camping, hiking, Jungle Safari to nearby forest of Sakham, visit Dalim Fort, experience tea tasting at organic ta gardens, take a dip at Chhangay Falls, witness the sunrise and sunset at Jhandi, eat homecooked meals at homestays etc.

Landscape around Gorubathan

I was going to Assam for my best friend`s wedding and thought of utilizing the time in exploring nearby places. Enroute to Assam, I took a halt at New Jalpayiguri from where I took a private taxi to Gorubathan, a small and humble place in the district of Darjeeling. I took a train from Delhi to NJP in West Bengal. North East Express that starts from Anand Vihar Railway Terminal was my choice of train for the journey which I ultimately regretted. A piece of advice never ever take the North East Express instead take Guwahati Rajdhani or Karamabhoomi Express.

Gorubathan Tar

Once there, I stayed at a homestay which is owned by Pawan Thapa who runs Himalayan Media Welfare Society(Voluntary NGO) in Gorubathan. He was kind enough to show me around the town and treated me with home cooked authentic food. I could only spare a day for this wonderful town. But if you decide to come here then my suggestion will be that you spend atleast four days in Gorubathan.

Some pictures from my trip:

Railway Bridge enroute to Gorubathan

Landscape at Jhandi

 

Sunset View at Jhandi

 

With my Host Family

Coronation Bridge

Tamang Monastery

Teesta River

If you ever decide to go to Gorubathan then do contact the following person:

Pawan Thapa

Contact no. 08801926294

Happy Travelling!!!