Travel – Colleen Braganza

Why do hundreds of mountaineers risk life and limb to touch the top of the world every year?

June 7, 2019

Author’s note: I wrote this story on the challenges of climbing Mount Everest for the The Hindustan Times’ Sunday magazine, Brunch, in 2009. I was reminded of it when I read news reports that at least 10 people have died on Everest in the 2019 climbing season. Since HT doesn’t seem to have a copy of this piece online, … More Why do hundreds of mountaineers risk life and limb to touch the top of the world every year?

The legend of the monster tree

October 31, 2015

High on a hilltop facing the plateau of Shillong is an odd geological formation – a crater the size of a tennis court surrounded by neat fields of carrots, cauliflower, cabbage and kohlrabi (ganth gobi). This is where Khasis believe the monstrous tree Diengiei stood. It’s fascinating how trees occupy a vital space in major … More The legend of the monster tree

A double-decker root bridge and life’s lessons

October 21, 2015

I can’t explain why I was determined to see the double-decker living root bridge in Sohra*, possibly the only one of its kind in the world. After all, my cousins had already taken me to see a living root bridge near Riwai village adjoining the tourist hotspot of Mawlynnong, marketed as Asia’s cleanest village. That … More A double-decker root bridge and life’s lessons

The Thlen: The Voldemort of the Khasi belief system

October 15, 2015

Khasis have a rich repertoire of myths and legends of which I know next to nothing. This ignorance is entirely my loss. However, there is one name I’m acquainted with – that of the ‘Thlen.’ I first heard this word from my mei-ieit (maternal grandmother in Khasi). If I remember correctly, mei-ieit didn’t like talking about … More The Thlen: The Voldemort of the Khasi belief system

At ground Ziro

October 10, 2015

I couldn’t take a photograph of the scene before me. After all, moonlight is an elusive creature — not easily captured. This was just as well because it meant I could give the beauty of the night my undivided attention. We had just emerged from a cluster of pine trees that stood sentinel-like behind us as … More At ground Ziro

Northeast, here I come

September 19, 2015

I’m headed to the Northeast (Arunachal and Meghalaya) for a month starting tomorrow, September 20, and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s been some 30-odd years since I was last in Arunachal but I still have vivid memories of that beautiful state. We lived in an Army cantonment perched on a hilltop in the Tenga Valley. … More Northeast, here I come

In defence of train journeys

September 15, 2015

Whenever I tell friends or colleagues that I’m taking the train instead of flying within the country, they look at me as if I am insane. Why would anyone choose Indian Railways with its decrepit trains and smelly stations over newly-renovated airports and somewhat affordable low-cost airlines? I have a simple answer: I love travelling … More In defence of train journeys

Ireland: Worth the weight

September 15, 2015

So, you’re going to Ireland?” asked a friend. “You will eat well there.” I wasn’t so sure of that. Before my trip the only food item that came to mind when anyone said ‘Ireland’ was the potato. And as much as I like potatoes, there is only that much you can do with them. I … More Ireland: Worth the weight

Ireland: Notes from a Green Isle

September 10, 2015

The first thing you notice about the island of Ireland is that it’s so gloriously, vibrantly, voluptuously green. The green assaults you in a rather pleasant way as you drive across the isle past its meadows and quaintly named counties of Antrim, Londonderry, Limerick and Tipperary. Country music legend Johnny Cash was so enamoured with … More Ireland: Notes from a Green Isle

Loo and behold

September 8, 2015

I achieved loo nirvana three years ago in Tibet. This simply means that I have been released from the burden of expecting and worrying about finding clean loos when I travel. To put it simply: I have been to loo hell and back. After that, everything else is an improvement. I am therefore free of … More Loo and behold

Colleen Braganza

Journalist. Editor. Writer. Wannabe philosopher. Bullshit detector.

Category: Travel