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People #IntimateTravel: This Couple Travelled According To The Moon Cycle
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#IntimateTravel: This Couple Travelled According To The Moon Cycle

The Moonchasers give us a peek into their lives and reveal all the planning that goes behind chasing the moon and dreams.

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By: Bayar Jain Published: Feb 25, 2021 07:00 AM IST

#IntimateTravel: This Couple Travelled According To The Moon Cycle
Photo Courtesy: The Moonchasers

For travel couple, The Moonchasers—Joydeep and Chandreyi—romance can be found where you let it bloom. And travelling together provides them with just this space. Backed by many years of companionship, the two come complete with countless #IntimateTravel experiences to share. By Bayar Jain

1. What is the story of The Moonchasers? How did the two of you start travelling together?

The Moonchasers

We met in 2008 as students, thousands of kilometres apart in different cities. Call it love, partnership or a yearning to be with one another, we finally decided to live in the same city in 2016 after years of long-distance friendship. We started picking places to go on short trips. Be it Holi, Durga Puja, Diwali, or Christmas, we eventually started travelling together. By 2017, we were seven trips old. That’s when it hit us: we’d been travelling according to the moon cycle all this while. So, when the time came to start accumulating our memories and experiences as a travelogue, we settled with the name ‘The Moonchasers’.

2. How do you guys balance your respective careers and travelling, simultaneously?

We were working full-time in 2016 and travelling only during official holidays. Initially, we started by taking short trips near Mumbai and Bengaluru (where we lived). Every time we went home, we’d extend our holidays and explore Sikkim and North Bengal too. I [Chandreyi] work in public relations and have found a way to juggle between work and travel, provided I have seamless internet connectivity (which often falls short when travelling in India!). Joydeep is an architect. Since he worked with a large real estate studio, he had sufficient leaves to plan trips well in advance.

Now in 2021, post lockdown and making a life-altering decision to move to Goa and opening a homestay here, we can safely say there’s no formula to this balance. You constantly need to be on your feet, do the best you can, and find ways to continue working from anywhere. Now, Joydeep practises independently and finds more time to indulge in things he truly loves doing: filmmaking and restoring old homes. I, on the other hand, always carry a portable WiFi and plan my work in advance so that difficult connectivity doesn’t impair work.

3. How do you narrow down on a destination and the various experiences there?

Ordinarily, before COVID-19, we would make two long international trips a year, and multiple shorter ones in India. We look for unique experiences even when in popular places. And honestly, there’s a certain joy in doing a few things like everyone else as well. For example, in Manali, we stayed away from the main city but also enjoyed walking along the streets during sunsets and indulging in momos and hot chocolate. Similarly, when we visited Goa as a tourist, we would go for a trek to Dudhsagar Falls or visit Aldona village.

We also read blogs, as they are a great way to find detailed information about the places to see and things to do. We usually look for quiet experiences like heritage trails, food experiences, or activities on our bucket-list like cycling around Mt Fuji in Japan, trekking a volcano in Bali, or staying in an overnight mobile camp in the heart of a national park in Sri Lanka.

4. When travelling together, how do you deal with differences and misunderstandings among each other?

We started travelling to spend more time with each other. Travelling helps us open up as individuals, and talk more about our personal experiences and feelings; it puts us in our zen spaces. So, when we have differences in opinions or choices, we talk it out and find a solution that works for both of us. Sometimes I stay back while Joy goes on back-to-back safaris. Other times, he stays back or goes on a trek while I work in the mountains for weeks.

5. According to you, what are the top three things to keep in mind while planning an #IntimateTravel vacation?

Every couple faces challenges, especially when trying to find and work on a common goal like a trip. The best idea is to take time to think about what you would like to explore, lay it out as a plan before your partner, and ask him/her to do the same. Since everyone travels to a destination for a limited time, it is important to be realistic and chalk out a map of your route—including stays, conveyance and places to see. Always keep some buffer time for impromptu plans, so that when the opportunity comes, you don’t have to fight about whose choice of place or experience to let go off!

Be open. Respect your partner’s reaction or feedback to a certain idea, and then make a decision. It may not be what you wanted, but sometimes it’s good to try out things from another person’s perspective. Basically, let go of the ego!

Be kind. This is applicable for all kinds of trips. Everyone is not wired the same way; be kind enough to accept these differences. With acceptance comes feasible solutions—perhaps even the possibility of doing something new together!

6. Must-haves when packing for an #IntimateTravel vacation?

We prefer carrying minimal and reusable items. This includes sets of basic wears; evening wears; one sturdy pair of shoes—preferably one that can be used in various terrains—along with sandals and flats, as per the destination; boots for winter trips; two to three pairs of inner-wear; a few nice dresses and lingerie; comfortable jackets or shawls for cosying up; swimwear, even for winter destinations; and a couple of nightwear, lounge-wears, and winter-wear, as needed. We recently discovered a lot of value in investing in stylish technical wear that is good for multi-weather wearing, such as joggers or all-weather pullovers.

7. The most romantic destination in India, according to you?

Lachung in Sikkim is beautiful! Nestled in the hills of Northern Sikkim, and close to the Tibetan border, this small village is a place straight out of a fairytale. Our story there started with fresh snowfall as we arrived. Lachung’s cosy vibes will compel you to cuddle or sit by the fireside. It is surrounded by apple orchards. One can take a quick hike through the pine forests, or enjoy the vistas of the hills and rhododendrons. When we visited, it helped us connect as individuals as we became child-like seeing our first snowfall together. The warmth of the people, the little bonfire at night by our cottage, the local shop owner inviting us to their home for a cup of chai…all of it left us mesmerised.

8. A hidden gem in India you wish people knew more of?

We love exploring hidden locales; it provides us with the opportunity to enjoy the vibe of the place, and also avoid crowds. For instance, most people visit Goa for its beaches, but there’s so much more to it. We have been exploring hidden gems here, such as the birds of Chorão, farms of Aldona, and feni joints at Divar island.

Another truly interesting place we found during our travels was Rumsu in Himachal Pradesh. It’s a quaint hamlet with scenic walks to offer. In winters, the village becomes a snow paradise!

9. What has been your most romantic holiday yet and why?

Our trip to Sri Lanka was quite romantic, given the variety of activities we enjoyed (beaches, jungles, mountains) in the span of 10 days. Even Rann of Kutch is a very romantic place for its unique landscapes and colourful experiences. Mountains are always a good idea for a romantic getaway. Having said that, we don’t feel the need to label a destination as ‘romantic’ as one can find romance in themselves anywhere. All one needs is an appreciation for nature, and love for the partner.

10. Your tips on becoming a more conscious traveller?

Introduce small changes in the way you travel. Carry fewer clothes, hence buy less. Reuse and recycle things you can. Opt for alternatives to plastic, like metal bottles and straws, bamboo accessories, etc. It is also a good idea to carry small plates or spoons when travelling by road. And most importantly, carry your own garbage bag to collect waste.

Related: #IntimateTravel: Gypsy Couple Decodes The Dos & Don’ts Of Travelling With Your Partner

Written By

Bayar Jain

Bayar Jain

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