Surviving The Sizzle: Things To Keep In Mind While Traveling To Heat Wave Zones!

BY  Sibashree Aug 29, 2025

Thailand is expecting a major tourism boom with the new 30-day visa-free entry for Indian tourists, especially for celebration and wedding groups.  Surasak Phancharoenworakul, the Minister of Sports and Tourism, has mentioned that this is an improvement over the permission for a 15-day Visa-free stay in Thailand for Indians. This is a brilliant move considering Thailand expects an arrival of 2.7 million Indians in 2027.  Also, this is going to be a milestone decision in Thailand tourism, considering that in 2025, the country planned a major tourism boost, with the government offering 200000 free domestic flights for international tourists. Furthermore, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has always ensured that Thailand remains a place for all tourists. It is especially a happy space for LGBTQ+ travelers who can be who they are.   Nevertheless, even if the recent developments have put the tourism sector of the country under the spotlight, Thailand has always been a global tourism hotspot with its beaches, rich culture, food, scenic beauty, and bustling markets.  With warm, hospitable people, Thailand is also the land of affordable luxury.  Furthermore, from the ancient temples to the water sports hotspots, the must see places in Thailand. So, if you are a first-timer in the country, finding the key attractions or making an itinerary can be difficult for you.  Moreover, the travel experience is going to be smarter, as travel businesses now can create a QR code to help visitors access itineraries, destination guides, and booking information. What Are The Must-See Places In Thailand? Enjoy The Diversity The Country Offers The tourism figures of Thailand in 2025 highlight the top provinces that have helped in the tourism growth of the country.  Bangkok and Phuket are, of course these driving massive revenue. The provinces to join the list are Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, and Chon Buri.  Our list of must-see places in Thailand includes Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai among these tourism hotspots. However, we have also added Ayutthaya and Krabi.  1. Bangkok: Offering The Perfect Blend Of Heritage And Modern Life Bangkok is about a mash-up of crazy traffic, golden temples, shopping malls, and little alleyways where people are grilling skewers right on the sidewalk.  The Grand Palace is probably the first stop for most people, and it’s where the Emerald Buddha is.  And honestly, it’s more impressive in person than in any photo. Just a short walk away, Wat Pho features a reclining Buddha that occupies an entire hall. If you’re more into daily life, the markets are wild. Chatuchak Weekend Market is like a maze.  You’ll think you’re going in circles, but then suddenly you’re eating something you can’t even pronounce.  At night, don’t bother going to bed early. Rooftop bars offer skyline views that remind you why the city never stops. 2. Phuket: The Largest Island In Thailand  Phuket’s the big island, the one everybody’s heard of. And yeah, it’s touristy, but there’s a reason people go. Patong Beach has people everywhere, music blasting, jet skis buzzing. Fun if that’s your thing. But if not, Kata and Karon beaches are way calmer. Food-wise?  Fresh seafood everywhere, plus night markets that are fun just to wander through. And the nightlife in Patong… let’s just say you’ll either love it or hate it.  For a day trip, take a boat out to the Phi Phi Islands or Phang Nga Bay.  The water’s almost too blue, and those limestone cliffs? Unreal. And for a stunning holiday, book the best Thailand holiday packages. 3. Chiang Mai: The Ecotourism Hotspot Of Thailand  Now, heading north changes the whole vibe.  Chiang Mai is surrounded by mountains, is slower-paced, and feels way older.  Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the big one here—it’s up on a hill, and once you finally get there, the view makes the climb worth it. Nights are for wandering through the bazaars. Crafts, food, random souvenirs! You’ll end up buying something you didn’t plan on.  Oh, and cooking classes are big here too. They’re fun, messy, and you’ll leave thinking you’ve mastered Thai curry (spoiler: you haven’t, but close enough). If you’re into animals, visit an ethical elephant sanctuary. Spending time with elephants up close is unforgettable, honestly. Furthermore, Chiang Mai is the ecotourism hub of Thailand, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) identifying and promoting two ecotourism destinations in Chiang Mai.  Royal Park Rajapruek. Chiang Mai Royal Park Rajapruek is a botanical garden with international acclaim.  Local and foreign tourists gather here to explore the 198-acre area with rare plants and winter flowers of more than 1000 species.  The gardens here have plants from various countries such as Japan, India, Bhutan, and China.  Furthermore, the Ho Kham Luang Royal Pavilion, or a Lanna-style structure, is the main attraction of this botanical park.  It stands for the rich heritage of Thai architecture and the morale of King Rama IX.  Moreover, this botanical park is a Net-Zero Carbon Park, and it aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote low-carbon tourism. Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden The Mae Rim district of Chiang Mai is home to the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden.  Spanning over an area of 2,574 acres, it has more than 10 glasshouse zones.  Furthermore, it has a canopy walkway with an elevation of 400 meters.  From there, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the natural forests and trails around.  4. Ayutthaya: A UNESCO World Heritage Site An hour or so from Bangkok, and you’re basically stepping into another century.  Ayutthaya used to be Siam’s capital, and now its ruins and temples are everywhere.  The kind of ruins that make you stop and go, “Wow, people actually built this hundreds of years ago.” Easiest way to see it? Rent a bike. Just ride around the historical park, stop whenever something catches your eye.  Don’t miss Wat Mahathat. It has the Buddha head wrapped in tree roots, which is the photo everybody takes, but it really is cool in person.  Wat Phra Si Sanphet shows off how grand the city must’ve been back in the day. 5. Krabi Province: Home To Over 100 Islands And The Thai Adventure Hub Cliffs, turquoise water, beaches! Everything is so perfect in Krabi.  Railay Beach is the spot most people talk about.  You can only get there by boat, and it’s a mix of rock climbers scaling cliffs and people just lying in the sand doing nothing. Island-hopping is easy here.  The Hong Islands are perfect if you want snorkeling or kayaking in quiet lagoons. Ao Nang’s where most travelers stay.  It has enough hotels, restaurants, and bars to keep you busy without being overwhelming. Phuket Vs Krabi Beaches: Which One Is Better To Visit? It is a tough task to choose between Phuket and Krabi beaches.  Krabi beaches are more adventurous and ideal for a solo trip or traveling with your partner. On the other hand, Phuket is more accessible and ideal for family vacations.  Still, to make a choice between Phuket and Krabi beaches, you need to understand the difference between the things to do in these places.  Adventure Tourism In Phuket And Krabi Adventure tourism is what sets Phuket and Krabi apart. For example, ziplining in the jungles of Phuket is a fascinating experience.  However, the rock-climbing scene in Krabi is more famous worldwide, and it is an important ecotourism hub in the country.  Also, in Krabi, taking a bath in the Emerald Pool or Sa Morakot is an amazing experience. Furthermore, to reach the summit of Wat Tham Suea, or the Tiger Cave Temple, we need to climb 1260 steps. The City Attractions  If you want a world-class shopping experience and city amenities, Phuket is hands down the best choice.  It has the best shopping malls that Krabi lacks.  Moreover, if you want to experience the nightlife of Thailand, Phuket Beaches, especially Patong Beach, are the ultimate destination. Mī khwām s̄uk̄h nı kār dein thāng!

BY  Sibashree Nov 17, 2025

Saudi Arabia has started providing the eVisa, which is mainly a visa for tourists. This change has started attracting a lot of Muslims, especially from the UK. Different types of packages are being offered by the Islamic Travel Agency for people holding British passports.  They are providing various deals to visit Saudi Arabia. Islamic Travel Agency is also providing Umrah packages with a short trip to Saudi Arabia for British Muslims.  This deal is a 2-in-1 combo for pilgrims, 1 they can perform their Spiritual Pilgrimage, and secondly, an international trip. Almost every visitor travels by air to come to Saudi Arabia.  There are a bunch of International airports present in major cities of Saudi Arabia, like Riyadh, Jeddah, Tabuk, and Dammam.  The airport that you choose to arrive at depends on the route of your flight and the places that you plan on exploring. But traveling from the UK directly to Saudi Arabia can be tricky if you don’t know about the tips and tricks. So, in this blog, I have brought you a complete cheatsheet to travel to Umrah on a tourist visa UK. So, what’s the wait for? Come dive right in! Hot Spots In Saudi Arabia Coming from a former traveler who has spent a month traveling through Saudi Arabia, the must-visit places that were the highlight of the trip are mentioned below. 1. Jeddah Al Balad  There are certain historic, cultural, and modern aspects of the country blended seamlessly together in the name of Jeddah. Jeddah city, situated on the coast of the Red Sea, is one of the major tourist attraction spots in Saudi Arabia. It consists of one of the major international airports of Saudi Arabia, as well as the latest digital mosque, established in 2024. 2. Al Wa’bah Crater The Al Wa’bah crater, which was formed due to a volcanic eruption, is a historical site near the premises of Ta’if. This crater has a diameter of almost two kilometers. At the bottom of this crater is a white residue, which is believed to be a layer of white sodium phosphate crystals. The bottom of this crater is sometimes also known as the Salt Lake. 3. Al Ula’s scenery In ancient times, the walled city of Al Ula was discovered as an oasis. This land had greenery and plenty of water. Many rocks, like the famous elephant rock, are present in the city of Al Ula. This site is a famous tourist site because of its unique structure and beautiful scenery. Apart from all the sites and scenery of this country, the most beautiful sight was of the locals and their hospitable nature. The way in which the local people of Saudi Arabia help tourists and show cooperation was unmatched. A lot of locals were really fluent in English, and they welcomed us with grace and warmth. Why Do You Need A Tourist Visa UK? Saudi Arabia has started to offer tourist visas to almost 66 different countries, and it is not crazy expensive either. This visa also covers health insurance, which ensures to helps the visitors to access healthcare at any time during their stay. What Is The Best Time To Visit Saudi Arabia? It is a well-known fact that most of the area of Saudi Arabia is desert. Travelling through the country during summer is like melting yourself down under the sun, so it is recommended to travel during winter to get the whole experience. Language In Saudi Arabia Arabic is the language of the locals in Saudi Arabia. For checking the tags while shopping, you can always use the Google translation feature by clicking the picture. Shopkeepers are fluent in English as they have to deal with foreign tourists on a daily basis. If necessary, one can always use Google Translate, as it comes in handy. Visiting Saudi Arabia During Ramadan Muslims who want to go for pilgrimage or experience Ramadan in Saudi Arabia must visit during this period, but it is not an ideal time for tourists to head to Saudi Arabia.  This is the time when the flight tickets, hotel accommodation, health insurance, and transport all skyrocket, and it is very expensive to move through the country or enjoy your stay there.  If you are a Muslim and want to experience the true spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, and do the pilgrimage as well. Then you are in the right place. Islamic Travel Agency is offering a last 10 days Ramadan Umrah package to British Passport holders who want to perform Umrah in Ramadan.  Muslims will find out the true spirit of Ramadan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Bonus Tips For Travelling To Umrah On Tourist Visa UK A pro tip for first-time visitors is to check the hotel management rules for smoking. That is, if you are visiting a Saudi Arabian hotel, do check with the management. So, there are no residues or odors due to the smoking activity of previous people.  If you are someone with a time crunch, then you must travel from one city to another by plane. This way, you can save a lot of time and hassle.  Another pro tip is to book your flight earlier. Moreover, earlier booking can prevent the problem of unavailability of seats or last-minute changes in flight timings.  If you travel by car, you will need a couple of business days to travel from one city to the other. And it will consume most of your time as a tourist.  To make sure that you enjoy most of your trip, you must book a budget-friendly flight. But you’ll still have to book a car at the airport to reach your desired destination.

BY  Sibashree Jun 12, 2026

Freestyle is the main foundation of snowboarding. However, every rider has to learn the basic snowboarding tricks, from grinds to spins and grabs to butters.   Furthermore, you need a roadmap for becoming a park-ready snowboarder.  Also, you have to maintain your style equally before and after the drop. So, along with knowing the tricks, you need to choose snowboard jackets and snowboard pants that ensure superior performance with freestyle readiness.  What Are The Coolest Snowboarding Tricks?  You can divide the snowboarding tricks into four categories, and these are: Flips Spins Grabs Butters Flips mean rotating around the horizontal axis. On the other hand, spins are ideal for showcasing rotational tricks centering around the vertical axis.  Furthermore, in the grabs technique, you can grab the board in more than one position.  Moreover, butters means placing the board on the ground and using presses and spins for rails and jumps.  However, Ollie is the basic or main trick behind snowboarding.  The Ollie: The Basic Snowboarding Tricks From corked 10s to butters, you will find the simple Ollie trick. However, this is a trick that can only be perfected with practice.  Furthermore, this trick involves four stages: You have to energize the board. Then, you have to center the balance backward.  Next, you have to drive off the back.  Finally, you have to tuck the nose to square up. Now, here are the four tricks a snowboarder needs to master. However, before getting into the details of the tricks, I want to define what a switch is. What Does Switch Mean?  As a rider, you will have a natural leading foot.  Left Foot Forward is Regular. Right Foot Forward is Goofy. Also, riding “switch” means riding with your non-dominant foot forward, essentially riding your board backward from how you normally would. Many advanced tricks either require a switch landing or start from a switch stance, which is why you'll see it mentioned constantly in trick names and descriptions.  A switch is not an optional detail. It changes the difficulty of the trick fundamentally. 1. Butter Tricks  If you have to learn about the basic tricks of Nollies and Ollies, rotation, and board awareness, butter tricks are the best.  Tail Press You can initiate the tail press with the shift of your weight toward the board’s tail. You have to ride straight and lift the nose out of the snow.  Ollie And Nollie  Ollie is the foundation, and Nollie is the same in the opposite direction. In Ollie, you shift the pressure backward, and Nollie is the trick where you need to shift the pressure forward.  Then, you will have to press down on the nose for spring.  Nose Press  Nose Press is the inverse of Tail Press. Here, your weight has to be over the nose of the board. Thus, the tail remains free of the snow.  Tail Drag  You have to start a nose roll or a tail drag. Furthermore, once you get the first pop, you have to keep the board straight.  Here, you will not spin to get back to your natural spin. This is also called the “Nose-Roll to Pretzel.” Nose-Roll 180 Begin a toe or heelside turn. Once your edge engages, lift the tail while keeping the nose down, then spin 180 into a switch. Tripod When you are riding straight, you have to look behind. Then, you can start a heavy tail press.  Next, you need to go down and touch the snow with your hands. Thus, you will use your arms and tail to form the tripod.  Tail-Drag 180 You have to start a heelside or toe turn and do ollying. Thus, you can keep the tail on the snow.  Then, you can drag the board and land the switch.  Nose-Roll 360  The start for Nose-Roll 360 is very similar to the Nose-Roll 180. However, here the rotational force is greater, and the pop is harder.  In this trick, when your board is at an angle of 90 degrees to the direction you are riding.  Then, you can lift your nose from the snow and go for an airborne spin until it becomes a complete 360 degree.  Tail-Drag 360 Here, the start is the same as the Tail-Drag 180, and here, you need to drag the tail to perpendicular and pop harder.  Then, you will lift the board from the snow to finish a complete rotation of 360 degrees.  2. Grabs Tricks  Grabbing the snowboard in the middle of a flight is the space where freestyle was created. This is a stylish trick for snowboarding.  Indy Reach down with your back hand and grip the toe edge between your feet. Stalefish  In this grab trick, your back hand reaches past your back knee to grab the heel edge between the bindings. Tail  Here, you can use your trailing hand and grab the tail of the board right at the tip. This grab will not be on the sides.  Melon  Grab the heel edge between your feet using your front hand, reaching outside your lead knee. Weddle  Earlier, the Weddle trick was known as Mute Grab. It got its name from Chris Weddle, who invented the trick and tried for the first time in 1981.  The change of name happened in 2021, and as The Guardian reported,  “For almost 40 years, the “mute grab” has been part of a skateboarder’s bag of tricks: the lead hand grabs the toe side of the board between their feet. Now, the trick is being renamed to better honour its inventor, Chris Weddle, a deaf skater who was never actually mute in the first place.” In this trick, you will have to use your lead hand and grab your toe edge between the bindings.  Method If you want to master a more stylish move than Melon, you can try the Method trick. In this move, you have to stretch your legs from the Melon Grab stance, and thus the shape of your body will be like a scorpion tail.  Then, you will have to use your trailing hand before you aim high. The beauty of the method is that in this, everyone can try a different version.  In snowboarding, Method Grab has one of the most fascinating stories of origin.  The most amazing part is that it was not discovered on a mountain.   Rider Neil Blender started on a skateboard vert ramp in 1985. He was then taking part a highest-air contest.  The rules were to measure the air height from the lowest point of the body of the rider on board.  So, to squeeze out extra height, Blender arched his back and pulled the board up. He called it his best “method” for winning.  Thus, the method trick got its name and became very popular by the late 1980s. Even today, it is one of the most recognizable moves of snowboarding. Nose  In this trick, you will have to use your leading hand to grab the nose of your board. Roast Beef  Skateboarder Jeff Grosso invented this trick, and he called it the worst maneuver in skateboarding.  He admitted that he only started grabbing there because it was easier for him than a stalefish. However, today, it is one of the easiest “through-the-legs” grabs to learn.  In this trick, your rear hand reaches between your legs and grabs the heel edge of the board between the bindings, with your rear leg boned (straightened) for style. Chicken Salad  Because of the same through-the-legs motion, Roast Beef is often seen as the same as the Chicken Salad trick.  However, this trick is different because here you will grab the heel edge with your rear hand while your front leg is boned and your wrist rotates inward. So, you will reach between the legs with the rear hand to grab the heel edge while keeping the front leg extended. Many snowboarders also casually call the variations of the Chicken Salad Chicken Wing on the mountain.  However, in standard competitions, Chicken Salad remains the standard name. 3. Spins, Flips, And Corks  The tricks based on rotations are called spins, and as you try spins on the horizontal axis, you will land in a switch or natural position.  Spins happen in 180-degree increments. Furthermore, the following variations will offer you a switch landing. 180 540 800 1260 1620 On the other hand, the following spins will ensure a natural landing.  360 720 1080 1440 1800 Moreover, corks and flips are rotations on the vertical axis. However, they are very different from spins, and each of the variations has a distinct name.  Here are the tricks you are going to try.  Wildcat   Wildcat is a backflip trick. Here, you will have to keep the board in a parallel position to the riding line.  Thus, you will do a side slip but will not use the momentum. Tamedog Tamedog is the exact opposite of Wildcat. It is a frontflip trick, and here also the board remains parallel to the riding line.  However, you will also use the hard Nollie trick so that the nose becomes your springboard and you start rotating.  Backflip  In the backflip trick, the board will create a 90-degree angle to the snow. In this, you will flip the board backwards directly.  Thus, the board will have a straight landing.  Frontflip  Frotflip has many similarities with Tamedog. Here, you will have to do a Nollie and a nose-press to initiate the lip.  Then, you will use both hands and reach forward to start the somersault. You will also shift the board back into the landing place.  Rodeo It is a frontflip but with a difference. Launch a frontside turn off the lip, pop from your toe edge, and pull a frontflip 180 to a switch landing. It has become such a building block that riders now stack difficulty onto it. A “Backside Rodeo 540” is a genuine flex in the competition.  Backside Rodeo It is just the reverse of Rodeo. Start a backside turn at the lip, pop off your heel edge, and execute a backflip with a 180 to land switch.  Moreover, if you want to showcase the maximum style, you must try a Backside Rodeo 540.  Corked Spin  A corked spin is a simple addition of a backflip or a frontflip to a flat spin. It is a popular trick in competitive settings.  In these tricks, professionals “Cab Triple Cork 14s” or “Double Corked 10s.”  However, like the Rodeos, you can make any spin corked.  Rails And Boxes: Some Tricks For The Street Riders On A Mountain Encounter If you don’t want to try flatland and air tricks, or if you are a street rider, you surely love your rails and boxes.  Here are the common grinds you can try while snowboarding on the mountain.  Trick NameApproach DirectionBoard PositionTakeoff/Pop StyleLeading Edge/Feature Placement 50-50Straight OnParallel (Straight)Standard Pop Flat Base on the Rail or BoxFrontside BoardslideRail on the Front SidePerpendicular (Sideways)Nose Rising Over the RailHeel Edge Leads with Backward SlidingFrontside LipslideRail on the Front SidePerpendicular (Sideways)Tail Rising Over the RailCentred between the BindingsBackside BoardslideRail on the Back SidePerpendicular (Sideways)Nose Rising Over the RailCentred between the BindingsBackside LipslideRail on the Back SidePerpendicular (Sideways)Tail Rising Over the RailHeel Edge LeadsTailpressStraight OnParallel (Straight)Shift Weight BackwardFlat Base with Tail Pressed DownNosepressStraight OnParallel (Straight)Shift Weight BackwardFlat Base with Nose Pressed DownBluntslideWill Vary Based on the EntryPerpendicular (Sideways)Ollie or High PopRail Sits Directly Under One Binding Know The Glossary Of The Coolest Snowboarding Trick Names If you want to know what are some of the coolest snowboarding trick names and the lore behind them, you can begin with the glossary I shared.  However, you can also master these tricks.  1. Switch McTwist Switch McTwist was originally a skateboard trick. Skater Mike McGill first landed the move.  It was a combination of a front flip and a 540-degree rotation on a halfpipe in 1984. His teammate, Rodney Mullen, named the trick in his honor.  He took “Mc” from MacGill’s name and combined it with “twist.”  This trick came into snowboarding when Shaun White performed in the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, defending his title.  In a Switch McTwist, the same flipping 540 is required, and you need to perform it from a switch or a backward-leading stance.  So, it is a much harder variation, combining an already-difficult invert with reversed footing. 2. Double Crippler  You can perform a double crippler on the frontside wall of a halfpipe and not on the backside wall, which is a more common option.  So, it is disorienting, and you can't spot your landing the same way. Add a second flip, and you get the Double Crippler, a very difficult trick.  Maddie Mastro became the first woman to land it, at 18 years old, during her 2019 Burton U.S. Open win. No matter which trick you try, learn and practice it properly from professional trainers and wear the helmet to stay safe during the real adventure. Learning The Basics And Building On It The snowboarding tricks and the lore behind them can feel overwhelming at first.  However, if you want, you can build your vocabulary logically. Start with the Ollie and butter tricks to build board awareness.  Then, move into basic grabs like Indy and Melon once you're comfortable in the air, and only chase spins, corks, and flips once those fundamentals are second nature. Furthermore, most of today’s iconic tricks, the Method, the McTwist, and the Roast Beef started as one rider's happy accident or stubborn experiment. So, learn the basics properly, and eventually you might invent something worth naming yourself. Read Also: How Is It Possible For Ski Jumpers To Stay In The Air Long And How To They Train For That? Minus 40°C Or Minus 40°F: What To Know Before Planning Your Next Mountain Escapade? Ski And Snowboard Ride: A Journey Into The Heart Of Winter Adventure