The Indigo Paints MD never likes to pass an experience of adventure.
Hemant Jalan's adventure memories from his Rio trip.
Hemant Jalan, MD of Indigo Paints, says he likes to savour his vacations in an unhurried manner. Two’s company “I always travel with my wife, as opposed to holidaying with a larger group. The only time I undertook a conducted tour with a group was back in 2004 — and I vowed never to repeat it. I realised soon enough that exploring new places on your own is more fun. You can plan your itinerary according to your tastes, and are not rushed to every venue by the tour guide. You can interact with the locals, eat the local cuisine, and get a real feel for the country you are in.
“Moreover, when holidaying abroad, I don’t want to be in Indian company or eating Indian food. As they say, ‘Don’t try to feel at home when travelling abroad.’ “Guided group tours also focus on the highlighted ‘sights’, though I find the journey itself is more fun than the destination. It’s something you can experience only when you travel alone.”
Bernese-Oberland region of Switzerland is Hemant Jalan's (on the left with his wife) favourite.
Adrenaline rush “I have done some bizarre things on my travels abroad, sometimes even testing my own boundaries. I have done a hanggliding jump off a 3,000-foot cliff in Rio de Janeiro. I travelled for three days on a small boat on the Amazon river; went dog-sledding on a glacier in Alaska; piloted a motor boat alone around an island in Greece with no prior experience; kayaked in a glacier lagoon in Iceland; and self-drove alongside rhinos and lions in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
“I never thought I would muster the courage to do these things. One thing I have learnt is that you live only once, and you should not pass on the experience of an adventure.”
Hemant Jalan went dog-sledding on Matanusla glacier in Alaska.
Making a friend for life “This has never happened on my travels abroad.”
Force majeure “In 2013, I had to abort a trip to Italy two days before departure as my mother was suddenly hospitalised. The bookings were made, and I was past the cancellation window at most hotels, but they were all very nice and agreed to waive cancellation costs when I explained the reasons. I re-booked at the same locations a few months later, and had a splendid trip.”
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Hemant Jalan always travels with his wife. (In pic - his memories from Great Wall of China)
Holiday redux “Only places of natural beauty can entice me to visit again. My favourites would be the Bernese-Oberland region of Switzerland, Queenstown in New Zealand, Tasmania in Australia, and the wildlife safari camps in Kenya and Tanzania. When I revisit these places, I like to stay put at one location for 7-10 days. I completed a repeat trip to Alaska, which I rate as the prettiest place I have ever visited.”
Bucket list “I have ticked off most locations by now. My dream holiday is to now go on an Antarctica cruise, which I will certainly do some day. Other unfinished trips include a wildlife safari in Botswana, and exotic island destinations in Tahiti, French Polynesia and the Caribbean.”
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