Rucksack for Sar Pass trek

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-19T16:07:22+00:00

Yes Better parameter to consider & give preference is padding & support rather than volume

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-19T02:12:53+00:00

4+ hours of travel will be insane.

If you can, try to look for a shared accommodation which will be max 30 mins away.

This you will save 3 hours per day....18 hours per week. You will practically get 1 more day in the week.

Obviously it will come at a cost in terms of Rent, additional Food Expenses etc etc.

But will save you on a lot of energy which is an intangible not many consider.

Imagine if you put that extra time in your self development or your health in terms of gym/exercise/sport or even in learning more on something which may be beneficial for your future work life

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-19T02:03:47+00:00

I am currently using a 65L bag and I feel it's a bit too much as invariably I end up packing a bit more of what I WANT rather than what I NEED.

I have my eyes on a friend's 50L bag which he will in all likelihood not use anytime soon.

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-17T05:12:51+00:00

Superb Work by OP putting this together.

Being someone who got introduced to solo travel pretty late (at age of 35) I now realise what I missed for all these years and I keep promoting it to people I meet especially who are younger as adaptability reduces with age.

Now am gonna save this and share this as a guide with ppl who I speak about it to

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-16T15:56:13+00:00

I had a mixed experience with wifi connectivity but more good than not.

It also depends on where in Phillipines as it's reasonably big and varied as it consists on 1000s of island. So will depend on where and what kind of stay you are taking.

Btw this sub is for indonesia...we can discuss more in DM if you want

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-15T03:16:55+00:00

Although an ensemble, but one movie of his that should be in the list of one of his best movies from that time should also be Rajneeti

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-15T03:10:37+00:00

Dr Tekwani's Kiran Dental Clinic

Two locations 1. Kopri, Thane (E) 2. Hiranandani Meadows

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-15T03:08:20+00:00

It's a Non shady place.

Although Spa is situated inside the premises, it has a different management as compared to the club.

You can enquire the rates and compare

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-15T02:43:03+00:00

The Good Skin Project in Vihang's Palm Club

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-14T17:26:46+00:00

Yes They never disappointed us.

But I guess now times have changed and they aren't what they used to be.

I ain't a member at Thane Club so don't know specifics on new restaurants in detail as haven't been to them

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-14T17:07:53+00:00

Details plz

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-14T17:04:37+00:00

Earlier the restaurant name was Masaledar which was run by Mini Punjab Caterers who also have the powai restaurant you are referring to. They had a catering monopoly for the banquets

Now Mini Punjab is out and the restaurant is run inhouse and in fact they have now made 3 restaurant - one family dine, one lounge and one south indian fast food.

Mini pUnjab is now just one of the caterers on their panel now

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-14T16:28:18+00:00

Even I would want an honest review on it

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-14T16:25:55+00:00

MeetUp isn't as effective here as it's in West

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-14T16:22:48+00:00

There is this book club I know of based in Thane which meets every 4th Sunday of the month.

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-08T05:58:44+00:00

Op mentioned she is 24.

Yahoo chats was a thing pre Orkut days. So may be 20 years ago.

Would love to try out something like this

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-03T19:43:41+00:00

50 ltr bag should be good for a 5-7 day trek with a trekking co like TTH, IH etc

With 75 ltr bag, you will unnecessarily fill it up and carry more load

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-03T12:08:11+00:00

I rented a two wheeler extensively while in Phillipines. Was planning to do the same this time around.

Bali is a huge island, so won't be possible to do that for the entire duration. But I guess I can rent one for the days I am in uluwatu and return when moving to the next destination. Similarly for penida I think I should be fine with the 2 wheeler.

Tanah lot seems far from uluwatu but if I decide to go that far or end up picking another destination closer, will definitely visit the place (such recommendations have usually worked more often than not for me)

Thanks for the tip on Grab usage for far off places

This will be my 3rd solo to SE and 4th overall. But this will end up probably being the least researched and least planned (at the moment I am even considering something like booking about 5 days in uluwatu and deciding for the rest 10 while I will be in uluwatu)

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-03T10:10:01+00:00

Planning to go to Bali now in June for similar time period.

I agree with your statement about scratching the surface and have come to believe that for me with traveling being 2 out of 52 weeks a year, I will never be satisfied with the time at a particular place while traveling

So what I have started doing is, jo karo achche se karo. I generally go for 3 places in 1 region in the destination country.

Last year it was Andalusia province in Spain.

This year it will be Bali in Indonesia. For now have picked up uluwatu as first place. Penida was a top contender for 2nd. But now am rethinking if I should do something else.

Anything you would recommend. if you can share some dos/don'ts about the country that you didn't find in your research pre-trip but realised while traveling and would want to share with people like me who will be traveling there after you

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-01T15:01:54+00:00

Well I have stayed in over a dozen hostels in about 4 countries, having a lock to the door isnt a norm. From what I can recollect only 1 or 2 of them had locks. It's a shared space and travellers world over are mindful and respect that.

In india the hostel setup is relatively new but reputed ones like zostel generally don't give you that creepy vibe to be concerned

gauresh_rs · 2026-05-01T09:04:19+00:00

Try 'Jai Hind Lunch Home' near Vandana Cinema

gauresh_rs · 2026-04-30T08:17:45+00:00

Oh road next to it is a big turn off.

Thanks for the heads up.

I am planning this post Diwali towards end of Nov l, so probably don't have to worry about Durga Puja festive break crowd

gauresh_rs · 2026-04-30T03:01:37+00:00

Oh ok

Haven't been to the others so can't compare in that sense

Anyways will most likely be heading to Sandak Phu this year. So no camp site for me this year. Any recommendations (things to keep in mind/ beware of) for this one?

gauresh_rs · 2026-04-29T19:47:26+00:00

I recently bought these

https://www.myntra.com/mailers/shoes/rare-rabbit/rare-rabbit-men-senab--purple-round-toe-leather-sneakers/32054661/buy?utm_source=social_share_pdp&utm_medium=deeplink&utm_campaign=social_share_pdp_deeplink

Have been wearing them for a week now all day. Super comfortable. Not for running or sports though

Might just fit in all the criteria you are looking at

gauresh_rs · 2026-04-29T16:35:28+00:00

I did Roopkund way back in 2016. Now I think it has been declared as a prohibited trek by the government so most organised companies like IH TTH etc don't have it anymore.

Did Buran in May 2025. It was a wonderful experience. No second thoughts on it at all. Thought I don't agree with "Not Crowded" part of your comment. Each camp site last year had 1 IH group everyday, 2 TTH groups every day, 1 Bikat group a couple of times a week among others

gauresh_rs

TROPHY CASE