English lessons and travelling are synonymous. All our phrases, idioms and metaphors speak about ‘going places‘, in some way or the other. The common thread that binds them, is the essence of expressiveness which they teach us.
So, let us dedicate this Teacher’s Day to our most important and lovable subject teachers – English and Travelling. Presenting 10 travel-inspired idioms that perfectly bring out the beautiful essence of some stunning destinations in India.
1. Idiom: Soak up(the sun)
Destination: Goa
Goa never disappoints is a common thought you will hear from everyone, the off travellers as well as the regulars. Portuguese heritage and the chilled out vibe in the air exerts a magnetic pull on anyone wanting to party, relax, explore or just ‘soak up the sun’, literally!
2. Idiom: In flying colours
Destination: Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is a charming town, most famously known for its unending sand dunes, opulent castles, striking havelis, intricate architecture and colourful festivals. Jaisalmer has a rich history and its cultural vibrancy tell the tales, beautifully.
3. Idiom: Beat the heat
Destination: Shillong
Shillong, in Meghalaya, is probably one of those rare places with a lethal combination of beauty and nature’s bliss. The weather too is always pleasant, no matter which part of the year you visit. The cliffs and gorges are deep, the clouds pass through, the waterfalls amaze you, the greenery pleases you and the culture enriches your soul. The landscape of Shillong has truly proved its title of “Scotland of the East” and is a perfect place to ‘beat the heat’.
4. Idiom: Take French leave
Destination: Puducherry
You will never mind ‘taking a French leave’ to be in Puducherry. You can walk past ochre coloured stately colonial mansions, glorious old churches, and pretty cafés; and it is only when you hear the familiar honking of a passing auto that you are reminded you are indeed in Puducherry and not in a French coastal village.
5. Idiom: Ships in the night
Destination: Lakshadweep Island
Sun-kissed beaches lined up with the white sand, turquoise- shaded transparent sea water, minimal human interference and just you sailing down in the cruise amidst aqua delight. With a group of 36 coral islands, Lakshadweep cruise offers a trip to various islands on different packages.
So isn’t it a literal example of ‘ships in the night’? 😀
6. Idiom: Riding high
Destination: Helicopter Ride in Mumbai
Be it a romantic date or a vacation, the best way to spend some time with the one you love up above the sky will be truly exhilarating. Mumbai is one of the most beautiful cities in India, bounded by the Arabian Sea, and taking a helicopter tour of Mumbai will be a one-of-its-kind experience. The panoramic views of the Sea Link, Mumbai Skyline, and the Arabian Sea will take your breath away! Grab the chance to capture those moments of marvellous cityscapes from a height of over 1000 feet above the ground. Really you will be ‘riding high’ in joy!
7. Idiom: My way or the highway
Destination: Visakhapatnam to Arakku Valley
The graceful marriage of the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats in Visakhapatnam are a sight to behold. Any first time visitor is taken away by the pristine beauty of this union in the city. When the same traveller takes a trip to Arakku, he’s completely mystified by the beautiful road and the associated journey. The curly roads, the gentle elevation and the sweet serenity of the hills make it an amazing road trip in South India and will etch a permanent place in your heart for an eternity. All the reason why you should hit this ‘highway’.
8. Idiom: Once in a blue moon
Destination: Rann of Kutch
The Rann of Kutch is the biggest salt swamp in the world. Here you can experience the strange light effect known as Ghost Light and even view the beautiful night sky. You can also do lots of Astronomy and Astro-photography and people who have visited the place, have seen nearly 6 magnitude stars without any telescope. A beautiful stargazing destination which you can get to see just ‘once in a blue moon’, isn’t it?
9. Idiom: You can’t judge a book by its cover
Destination: Sandakphu, Darjeeling
The term ‘Sandakphu’ means height. It is named so because of a specifically poisonous wolfsbane plant which grows naturally near the peak. Sandakphu, one of the offbeat places in India, is the highest peak in Darjeeling with a staggering altitude of 3,336 meters. So ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, and explore this unexplored marvel before its gets all crowded.
10. Idiom: Living out of a suitcase
Destination: Lahaul – Spiti Valley
You surely would have visited many spell-bounding destinations, but trekking through this topsy-turvy adventure in Lahaul-Spiti is an another level of experience. From camping on the banks of river Chandrataal, bicycling at Kaza to experiencing homestay at the highest villages of Spiti, this adventure literally fulfills the true essence of the idiom – ‘living out of a suitcase’. You can move from one corner of the Valley to another and you will fall in love with its beauty over and over again.
Oh! The bell just rang and the class is over for now. Hope you had a good learning time, folks! 😉
And yes, Happy Teacher’s Day everyone. Keep Learning and Keep Exploring. 🙂
