"Your ticket also includes snorkelling gear. You may have never snorkelled before but today could be your first opportunity as we have experienced guides who will lead you."
Rather than getting enveloped in excitement, my mind became muddled and fearful as my ears caught this announcement on a scenic ferry trip to the Green Island, one of the many islands in the Great Barrier Reef and one of world's most celebrated natural wonders. It was the fear of water which stood before me and with it many thoughts. "When the ticket includes experiencing the reef through a glass boat and a semi-submarine, why should I go down in the water, which could also be unsafe. What if I drown?" I kept telling myself.
But thankfully, my mental block began to slowly shatter as I learnt that there were many first timers in the queue and who had requested for a guide, though at an additional cost of AUD 59 (INR 3240). To gain some more confidence, I asked around. "If you have come so far -all the way from India, don't leave without this experience as you may regret later," advised one of them, a college student from Santiago.
Minutes later, still making my mind up, as I headed up to the top deck, looking around at the scenery dotted with small hills and the large ocean and Cairns town located on the tropical North-Eastern coast of Australia. On the otherside, from where we had departed, I came across a family from France, which had planned to go scuba diving. Within a minute, I found myself talking to them. "If others can, why can't you?," a straight-forward question was thrust at me. I did not need any more convincing and rapidly joined the queue for snorkelling gear. I signed up for a guide, collected my gear and the swim suit, even though I was still nervous, though felt better and more certain of myself when I saw myself dressed in the swim suit.
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Denne historien er fra May - June 2023-utgaven av India Outbound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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La Mamounia is an oasis for travellers
In order to cement its foothold in the Indian market, Moroccan luxury resort La Mamounia, located in the picturesque town of Marrakech, recently organised a visit to Mumbai and Delhi, engaging with top-tier travel industry partners from India. General Manager Pierre Jochem tells India Outbound that the resort, which recently completed 100 years, is targetting the Indian visitors seeking to explore Morrocan art, culture and heritage, besides its captivating beauty.
Africa has come a long way as travel destination for Indians
The perception of Africa as a tourism destination has come a long way in India as travellers from India have gone beyond safaris to discover other elements that make travel to Africa attractive. The change is not just amongst Indian tourists, but destinations have also learnt more about their Indian clients and are taking steps to customise their offer to the Indian visitors, writes Alpa Jani, Founder, Ace Connect, a tourism marketing company.
ASCENIC RAIL TRIP ACROSS BALKANS
A rail journey through the Western Balkans, from Serbia's vibrant capital Belgrade to the culturally rich Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a more tranquil, scenic way to explore the region's breathtaking mountains, lakes and historical towns at a leisurely pace.
Shahnaz Husain's cool tips for skincare during travel
Celebrity beautician and hair care expert Shahnaz Husain tells India Outbound on her secrets for skin-care and hair-care while travelling.
Plovdiv: Timeless jewel in Bulgarian crown
With a history spanning over two millennia, Plovdiv is not only one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, but also a vibrant conduit linking Bulgaria's past and its present.
Navigating Natural Wonders of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
For us city dwellers, even the sound of a cuckoo might seem exotic. So now imagine discovering a vastness filled with shifting dunes and interlaced emerald lagoons.
Explore the Jewel of Southern Spain, Seville
Home to one of the largest historic centres of Europe and three world heritage sites, the stunning city of Seville, located by the picturesque Guadalquivir River in southern Spain, offers tourists an experience rich in history, culture, art, gastronomy and much more.
UPI IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A GAME CHANGER FOR INDIAN TRAVELLERS
Having revolutionised digital transactions in India, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now expanding globally. After tepid beginnings in the immediate neighbourhood, UPI is gaining acceptance in many countries making a win-win for Indian tourists and businesses overseas that are increasingly eager to tap the burgeoning Indian outbound travel market.
Debuting at COP29, can tourism lead march towards curbing carbon emissions?
Tourism will make its debut in global climate change negotiations in the next round of discussions, COP29, that opens in Baku later this month. So far, the discussions have spectacularly failed to produce any notable outcome, besides platitudes and numerous missed commitments. The global tourism industry has a golden opportunity to lead the way and show the world the true path to curbing carbon emissions. But the sector's own record in this aspect is hardly blemishless.
Bintan Island: SEESE
A haven of nature, with thriving flora and fauna, the Indonesian island of Bintan, that is barely an hour away from Singapore by ferry and comes with easy visa regimes, is an ideal extension for any Indian visitor to Singapore, looking to add a touch of wilderness to the experience.
