​FROM TIGER HILLS TO LAZY THRILLS Dr. Supriya Shukla

​FROM TIGER HILLS TO LAZY THRILLS  

​DR. SUPRIYA SHUKLA  

​Tiger Hill, Tiger's Nest - the very names roar adventure! Those dazzling sunrise and sunset views, the valley stretching endlessly below, snow-clad peaks glistening like silver crowns, and that fresh mountain air - a perfect picture postcard comes alive. But here's the catch: getting there isn't exactly a joyride. Steep inclines, thinning air, and a trail that tests both your knees and your patience reaching such vantage points demands grit, stamina, and a strong desire to prove to yourself (and your fitness tracker) that you're still young at heart. Yet, that's exactly what some travellers crave the challenge, the thrill, the sweat-soaked triumph at the top. For them, travel is not leisure; it's a passion project. They are the restless globetrotters who treat vacations as marathons of exploration. If there's a ruin, a forgotten fort, or a crumbly old heritage site on the map - they must see it, photograph it, and preferably post it before the Wi-Fi drops. Rest? That's for the faint-hearted. These travellers don't just visit places; they conquer them, armed with cameras, sunscreen, and endless zeal.  

​Then there's the second breed - the "change seekers." For them, travel is an escape hatch from the everyday grind. The family piles into the car (or plane) in search of that magical word: change. And who can blame them? For kids trapped in a cycle of homework, coaching classes, and the terrifying shadow of board exams that looms like a modern-day Damocles' sword, travel is pure therapy. They learn more from one museum visit or hill-station hike than from a dozen textbooks. Francis Bacon justifies this when he states:  

​" Travel, in the younger sort, is part of education, in the elder, a part of experience. "  

​Even a short trip does wonders - refreshing the mind, resetting the mood, and easing Monday morning blues .  

​And then... there's the third category, the "lazy voyagers." These are the people who travel with one goal: to do absolutely nothing. Their idea of adventure is ordering room service in a bathrobe while admiring the same sea view for five consecutive hours. The sunrise? Too early. Trekking? Too sweaty. Museums? Too much walking. For them, sightseeing is an optional sport best left to the overenthusiastic. Their hero is none other than J.B. Priestley, the philosopher of leisure, who in his essay On Doing Nothing, beautifully defended idleness as a noble art. He believed in the power of loafing around, claiming,  

​"All the evil in this world is brought by persons who are always up and doing, but do not know when they ought to be up nor what they ought to be doing."  

​In a world obsessed with frenzied pusuits, the "do-nothing" traveller is a quiet rebel. They argue, quite reasonably, that vacations are meant to unhook the mind - not exhaust it with endless schedules. Why chase a sunrise when you can sleep through it? Why climb a hill when you can float in a pool with a mocktail in hand? Cruises, luxury resorts and the laid-back, tranquil beaches were practically invented for them. These are their favourite destinations And honestly, they may be onto something. As Priestley humorously remarked, "The devil, I take it, is still the busiest creature in the universe." Perhaps a little boredom isn't such a bad thing after all. Let your mind wander, your body rest, and your spirit stretch its legs for once. So, the next time your child sighs, "I'm bored," don't panic. Let them be! Boredom can be the birthplace of creativity or at least the excuse for another nap. Whether you're scaling peaks, sightseeing ruins, or simply snoozing by the pool - travel has something for everyone. So go ahead, let the travel bug bite! But if you prefer your adventures slow, sunny, and sprinkled with room service let it nibble gently instead.  

​This planet is a treasure trove of wonders a magnificent blend of divine, untouched natural beauty and awe-inspiring human creations. From the serene, pristine wilderness that soothes the soul to marvels like Jungfrau, where the cogwheel train ascends snow-draped peaks in a breathtaking journey - every corner of the Earth whispers magic. Truly fortunate are those with the curiosity to explore, the courage to step beyond their comfort zones, and the means to wander across diverse and exotic destinations. For in every journey - through nature's grandeur or human ingenuity - one comes a little closer to Divinity itself, feeling the silent presence of The Creator in every vista, every moment, every breath of wonder!