Up and Down the Ancient Step Well of Agrasen Ki Baoli | Delhi, India

February 20, 2020
Explore Agrasen Ki Baoli, an ancient subterranean stepwell hidden near the bustling center of Delhi. Discover its 108 stone steps, intricate multi-level architecture, and the mystical legends that surround this protected historical monument.
Delhi / India / Architecture

Up and Down the Ancient Step Well of Agrasen Ki Baoli | Delhi, India

By Marky Ramone Go February 2020

Not far from the frenetic streets surrounding Connaught Place in Delhi, an ancient subterranean marvel possessing a fascinating history remains in an almost Zen-like condition. For the believers of mystical tales and legends, this is also where strange occurrences happen and ghostly demons plot curses. The Agrasen Ki Baoli is an ancient water reservoir common all over India of the olden times. Descending to a total of 108 stone steps, it has three levels all lined-up with arched niches on both sides.

Marky Ramone Go
Posing on the steps of the ancient stepwell

The name was derived from the Hindi word "bawdi", which in the regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan, becomes the word “baoli”, referring to water temples. Historians who studied the type of architecture of Agrasen Ki Baoli hinted that the structure was built sometime around 14th century during the reign of the Islamic empire of the Delhi Sultanate.

Sophie Gianan
Studying the architectural patterns

Channeling out its reputation of being one of the most haunted places in Delhi, I find the stair well a stimulant of calming sense. Watching the flocks of pigeons fly in waves over its niched corridors on both sides, while taking refuge in the shade from surrounding tall trees, I find marveling at the aged steps slowly taking me back in time.

Jomie Naynes
In the middle of the busy Delhi, it was a surprise to see this ancient landmark

Photogenic in every angle you look at it, it comes as no surprise to find the place teeming with people with cameras. I was joined by another traveler (a Filipina solo traveler) I met in Zostel Hostel in Delhi. She was also the one who recommended me to visit this place.

Sara Abdollahi
still well preserved

There are around 14 of these ancient step wells in Delhi and the Agrasen Ki Baoli—being the biggest and the most intact—was designated as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958.

Koryn Iledan
Agrasen ki Baoli

In a country dotted with historical ancient landmarks—and I've been fortunate to have visited a lot of it before—being in this throwback gem of a historic spot in the middle of Delhi, still afforded me with yet another wonderful memory of India.

Audrey Tangonan
Sweet India Street Food

After almost an hour and already nearing sunset, me and Jane decided to get going and went back to our hostel on foot but not before stopping by a street famous for Delhi sweets.

Capsule Transit KLIA2 | A Place to Stay Kuala Lumpur International Airport T2

February 17, 2020

 

Slept on an airport floor. Been there, done that. During my previous red-eye flights to KL, I remember dozing off in several carpeted areas of Kuala Lumpur International Airport T2 as I await my connecting flight the next day — a few times to India and another one to Sri Lanka. However, on my last trip to India, I found a cozy and affordable accommodation located right inside the KLIA2 terminal. Aptly called "Capsule Transit", it serves its function which is to provide just enough space for transiting passengers who don't have time or money to go to downtown Kuala Lumpur and look for a hotel.


Marky Ramone Go about to sleep in a bed in Capsule Transit
"I don't have claustrophobia do I?

Woven PH: Weaving Change in the Lives of Women Artisans of Basey, Samar

February 10, 2020


I first came to learn about the banig weavers of Basey, Samar many moons ago when on a pre-Yolanda morning, I explored the entirety of San Juanico Bridge on foot. I arrived in Samar with no destination in mind until a local I encountered pointed me to a fascinating place. “You can go to Basey, it is a small town not far from here. There’s an old church there and a cave where you will see women weavers making beautiful banig”, he told me in Tagalog.

Lakbay Norte 8: Bonfire Bonding, Charcuterie Feasting and Glamping at El Kabayo | Pampanga

February 08, 2020

 

During the first night of our #LakbayNorte8 in Pampanga, we were taken to a lawn covered ground surrounded by towering trees in Clark, Pampanga. “We’re going to go glamping” our host told us travel writers and vloggers as we got out of our chartered bus. Surveying the scene, I immediately saw the rows of tents pitched for us and a wooden table full of charcuterie boards screaming of an incoming feast.


Lakbay Norte

High-rise Observation and DTF in Taipei 101

February 03, 2020


I mean DTF as in ‘Din Tai Fung’

It may have feel like eons ago when Taipei 101 stood as the tallest skyscraper in the world when it first opened in 2004. Ten taller buildings later—led by Dubai’s Burj KhalifaTaiwan’s tower of power, remains as an enigma of an architectural wonder lording over the skyline of Taipei. Standing 1,667 feet with 101 floors, Taipei 101 held the title of the world's tallest building from 2004 to 2010.

Notice the architecture resembling a stack of Chinese food take-out boxes

5 Ways to Spend More Time in Nature at Home and Abroad

February 01, 2020


Being outdoors has indisputable benefits. Improvements in mood and mental health, as well as healthy doses of vitamin D, are just a few positives that you can gain from spending time in nature. Unfortunately, many of us lead hectic schedules, so if you are working long hours at the office and need an escape, here are a few things you can do to spend more time in nature both at home and overseas.

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