The last decade saw a boom in the Indian travel industry and Bunny’s motto became our life’s motto “Main udhna chata hu, daudhna bhi chahta hu, girna bhi chahta hu, bas rukna nahi chahta”. We just didn't follow the footsteps of Bunny, but literally, every traveller that came after. We take out the top 10 things to do in any location and then do those exact things. This leads to a boom of Instagram pictures that have the same setup and the same feels. So, how about we list these overrated things and find an alternative?
1. Pahado wali Maggie!
Ok, yes, I agree that in places where nothing is available, Maggi is your saviour but could we stop hyping this up? Maggi is an easy solution but not a healthy one! How about the next time you are in the mountains, you ask for other options such as Thupka, boiled eggs and sattu?
2. Pav bhaji on the Juhu Beach while the sun sets!
Mumbai is known for its pav bhaji and as all the tourists flock to Juhu, they only experience the mediocre pav bhaji sold to you as the world’s best one. Stop at any Khau Galli of Mumbai and relish in this delicacy and taste the real deal! Here you can find the best Khau Galli’s of Mumbai!
Also, the sunsets are over-hyped. If you like kids screaming in your face, the chaat wala yelling “bhel” and more plastic than sand, Juhu is the place. If you prefer a more peaceful sunset, you can head to Gadda Da Vida.
3. Trying to be local by taking pictures in local outfits!
If you are amongst the ones who are guilty of doing it, by all means, please go ahead and “take offence”! No, you don’t look like Kashmir ki Kali and it is about time we stopped doing it! I am also sure that the locals don’t even wear these “dresses” everyday. So, I have no alternatives for this. So, just STOP!
4. Look “I am holding the monument pose”.
Ok, whoever came up with this, could you please make yourself known? How did we collectively as the “most intelligent” species think this was a good idea? How about instead we pose like the pictures below? Take notes people!
5. Falling for Taj Mahal’s “professional photographers” scam!
A scam that sells itself as “professional”, I can assure you it isn't'. Even the most amateur photographer in the group can take better pictures. How do I know this? Take a wild guess!
Alternative? Use the cameras in the palm of your hand that you so proudly rave about.
6. Buying popular souvenirs and prayer flags that everyone has!
From little trinkets to prayer flags. All of us go to the same locations, buy the same souvenirs, click the same pictures and post #wanderlust. There is an abusive purchase of the Tibetan prayer flags by every #wanderluster who followed the road less travelled to Pangong Tso lake. How about we leave the flags where they belong in the mountains? Instead, how about you write a postcard to a friend?
7. The “Mountains are calling us” posts!
No, the mountains aren’t calling you! They never called you! You decided to pack your bags and come to Mussoorie, buy that weird scarf and cap set, and post a picture with maggie. Just don’t!
Also, to the ones who thought it was “safe” to travel to the mountains especially during the pandemic, I hope the virus didn’t hitch a ride on your backpack. The villages in the mountains don’t have the same access to healthcare as the rest of us, so how about we travel with responsibility?
8. Carriage rides at Colaba, Mumbai.
Another overly romanticised thing sold to gullible tourists. You don’t need a carriage to feel the romantic air of Mumbai (which can also be pollution, I don’t know!), you can just take a walk and feel the same. If you are lazy, take a rickshaw ride. I can assure you the rickshaw wala’s take much better care of their rickshaws than the coachman of the horse.
9. Team 'Temporary Tattoos' in Goa!
OK, I get the allure of temporary tattoos; I mean I ate boomer (90’s kid's reference) just so I could get the stick-on tattoo. But then some of us didn’t grow up huh? My alternative solution to temporary Goan tattoos is still the tattoo from chewing gum packets. You pay 1Rs, get free bubble gum and the tattoos are super cool. Ranging from Pokémon to Scooby-Doo. Now, why should I pay thousands in Goa?
10. Making Manali synonymous with Maal!
So, one stoner went to Himachal and tried the maal. He came back and took his stoner friends the next time. The chain continued and now old Manali is a “tourist stoner haven”. We all know that one person who takes one fake puff acts high and then raves of “Manali ka maal”. The stoner ‘A’ realised what happens when anything is commercialised and moved to another secret location, but SOLO! So, I don't have an alternative.
Manali is also one of the most beautiful locations and there is so much to do. Have a look at this video.
11. Following the celebrity route for travel.
Posing in the exact locations where a certain hit movie was filmed is one thing we need to stop. Our entire take on 3-idiots has changed the name of “Pangong Tso lake” to “3 idiots lake”. I do not get the hype of following celebrities as it isn’t hard to make a travel plan. Step 1: open google, Step 2: have individuality. You’re good to go.
12. Asking “Goras” for pictures (facepalm)!
When will we stop doing this? I am not even going to get started on why. But we all know it is about time we stopped doing this. Nope, there is no alternative to this stupidity.
13. The Goan adventure that should be clearly renamed!
Can we all just agree that parasailing in Goa with 1000’s of others on the same day is not what adventure is? OK now that we have defined that it is not adventure, you will remember to post it with its real name: The Goan trifle. Boom, Alternative.
14. The peace finding ‘yoga’ courses of Rishikesh
Yoga is an art that helps you get in touch with your inner self but unfortunately these packaged yoga courses that are offered in Rishikesh are to be avoided. Do proper research before you head over to one of these retreats. To save you time, have a look at the retreats offered by Team Tripoto.
How many of these are you guilty of? Do you know any more of the overrated tourist experiences? Let me know in the comments.
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