Looking to Travel on a Budget? #JustEMI your travel plans with Bajaj Finserv

With the festive season and the chilly winter months soon approaching, I’m sure the urge of wanderlust within every one of you is at an all-time high. These two periods are considered the best times to travel - either to beat the smoggy smoke of Diwali or the chills of the dreadful winter. Exploring and visiting exotic places does not necessarily have to cost you a bomb and you certainly don’t need to win some sort of lottery to travel the world – not if you know how to watch your expenses and plan out your trip wisely. I’ve compiled some of the best tried and tested tips to help you plan a holiday on a budget - 

Choose Off-Season Destinations 
If you’re looking to head to Goa this New Years, well, it would be close to impossible to plan out a cheap trip. Flight tickets would be at an all-time high and there are minimum solutions to this. Similarly, even hotel prices would be sky-rocketing at this point. Instead, you could choose to push your holiday by a few months when tickets would be relatively more affordable since it would not be peak season. 

Compromise on Accommodation 
Staying in the swankiest hotels and resorts is what we all dream of. However, if you want to travel on a budget - accommodation is one of the avenues which can help you save the most. Global platforms like Airbnb and Couchsurfing are popular options which allow you to simply book a spare room in a resident’s home. Or instead, you could opt for hostel dorm rooms. This option is increasingly popular with the youth - who are often on a budget due to lack of personal finances. 

Explore Public Transport 
Private transport facilities such as commercial taxis, hiring personal vehicles, or even global transport services such as Uber are sure shot ways of burning a hole in your pocket. To counter this, you could try using public transport in the form of trains or public buses. These are not only affordable options for transport but also completely immerse users into the culture and essence of a city. For example, cities like Tokyo and London are known to have some of the best subway systems in the world - and are used by the whole city for commuting. Similarly, on a national scale, travelling on the Mumbai Local is an enthralling experience in itself.

There are multiple avenues through which you can save up and enjoy a holiday on a budget. To conclude, if you’re looking to travel anytime soon – you may want to #JustEMI your holiday booking via the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network. The company has partnered with MakeMyTrip and is offering some amazing offers this Diwali. While transacting through MakeMyTrip, you can avail 20 percent instant discount on domestic hotel bookings up to Rs 10000 and flat Rs 400 off on minimum transaction amount of Rs 8,000 for domestic flight tickets using your Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card. If you aren’t a member of the EMI Network yet, you can apply easily via their Experia customer portal or check your pre-approved offer online.

So, what are you waiting for? #JustEMI you travel plans and book flights at your convenience along with choosing the most exotic resort of your choice! To know more, check out their EMI Network Town.

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It Happened In Hong Kong - A Romantic Comedy |Web Series

When people are in a foreign place earning new experiences, the mind is open to everything. The mind processes emotions better and the heart is all set to embark on a new love story. The four-episode series from Viu, 'It Happened In Hong Kong' is something that can be understood on these lines. Played by Amol Parashar and Aahana Kumra, the show elaborates wanderlust and a budding love story between two strangers. If you are having a tough day at work, watch series 'It Happened In Hong Kong' to remind yourself that life can be beautiful. You just need to know how to seize the moment.



A business trip ends up being something very exciting
The web series shows the story of a Bombay girl, Aahana, who is on a solo trip after having a rough patch in her personal life. Amol is a Delhi boy who is facing an existential crisis and is in the middle of a business trip. Both these people arrive in Hong Kong, seeking seemingly different things. However, life gives them both the sweetness of each other's companion. Though the theme is not quite new, VIU offers the story with a vibrant spark from the experienced actors. The strangers agree to spend the last few days of the trip together, engaging themselves in the company of each other. Watch this Hindi web series online for free on VIU.

The first episode outlines the beauty of Hong Kong, showing the lady's intentions to become a travel blogger. The two travel through Hong Kong, ticking off one place off the book after another. The series is a little fast-paced, showing the developing romance between the couple while they are striking one place off the list after another. The theme is known, but the story would have new twists and turns for the viewers. It is a romantic online Indian web series that shows how life is meant to be enjoyed. Watch series online and make the most of your coffee break.

The expressive ways of the actors impress the viewers
The actors, especially Aahana Kumra, are very expressive throughout the story. This brings out some more character to the story's heroine. Amol Parashar gives off a cool and clean vibe and the two make quite a dynamic duo for the online series. The mutual attraction between the couple comes off as a natural. It is an exciting Hindi web series that will keep you occupied and glued to the screen for a couple of hours. The backstories also shed some originality on the content. The small details make the story much more interesting and inspiring for the viewers.

The beautiful background of Hong Kong attracts attention as does the charming passion of the actors and the budding on-screen romance. The show is unlike the typical Indian web series, which is trying to portray today's society in a raw and unadulterated form. The show is dipped with romance but tries to portray it in a foreign and carefree manner. The series shows how a person can find love at the most unexpected moment. 'It Happened In Hong Kong' is an online web series Hindi that explores the small big moments that can come out when you are travelling.

VIU is an amazing online platform for movies
VIU is an over-the-top video streaming platform from PCCW media and is based in Hong Kong. The media was launched in 2015 and features some premium Korean dramas. But, now the platform is showing some of the most exciting online web series from India. If you like web shows, the platform is very suitable for you. But if you haven't tried out web series, this place can be a storehouse for delight. Enjoy the latest Hindi TV shows and movies on the platform and find out a new meaning to your life.

Resume the journey of your life with some added spark from 'It Happened In Hong Kong'. Find out a way to bring more meaning to your life with the exciting story that befalls two Indians on foreign land. How will their story end? Will they find new meaning in their lives with the newfound passion they discovered for themselves? You can only find out by watching 'It Happened In Hong Kong'.

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What’s In My Handbag?

You may think, I have everything so well put together, even with two kids. But trust me this has been a long time coming, with numerous errors, horrendous mistakes and then small notes to myself, this almost-perfect situation is a commutative effort of many years of travelling alone, with family and now with kids. It does take a great deal of planning and a solid checklist that ensures I leave the house without having to worry on the road.

Here are the 8 essentials that I won’t leave the house without, those which keep me charged, fresh-faced, hydrated and prepared for whatever the day brings.

Shades: Shape, colour, brand doesn’t matter, but what matters is that I have one in each of my handbags to protect my eyes from the glare of the sun. Not only that I carry a pair for the kids as well as night vision sunnies especially those which help when I’m driving. 

Earbuds: When on the go I love to listen to audiobooks or music and that requires a good set of earbuds. I prefer plain and simple in-ear earphones, but you can pick what suits you best from wireless or bluetooth enabled to over-the-ear or even noise cancelling ones.

Moisturiser: My go-to product, a natural multipurpose moisturiser is a triple threat, as I can use it not only to combat my dry skin but also chapped lips and frizzy hair. I prefer one with ingredients which include olive and jojoba oil, beeswax and aloe vera. 

Power Bank: Yes, I never go anywhere without my phone, but what if it runs out of power? A mobile charger and adaptor along with a power bank are an essential part of the in my handbag products no matter where I’m going. 

Tissues: Whether I need ammunition against small runny noses, or make-up disasters or just clean up a mess, my best friend - the tissue comes to my rescue. So I always throw in a couple of travel-sized tissue packs in my handbag. 

Hand Sanitiser: On the go, especially with the kids I cannot and would not want to go looking for a sink to clean dirty little hands. The best replacement for washing and cleaning hands when travelling is a hand sanitiser which always finds a place in my handbag.

Healthy Snack & Water Bottle: A small snack kit is a must have in my handbag. A small pouch with a few mixed nuts, energy bars keep the kids and me fuller for more time. And to ensure hydration in the weather, a bottle of water is a must at all times. 

Business Cards: Last but not the least, I never know who I'm going to end up meeting and where. So I ensure I place my business cards strategically in an accessible place in my handbag so I do not rummaging my handbag for one. 

Is this a list you carry as well? Can you add any item in the comments section to make a mom's life easier? 

Until next time,

~ Heena

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