India has always been a destination that intrigues one whether it be the culture or the landscape, however, it may not be on all bucket lists due to the ‘supposed’ lack of accessibility in the country. Now, when you think of India, you are likely to think of the...
It has been a while since one has travelled long haul, especially with Superbunny (which was back in 2016!) hence it was rather strange boarding a plane for the 10 hour flight to Chennai. As Iranian airspace is currently closed off due to the deteriorating situation, we were sent...
After a relaxing day yesterday at the hotel, it was time to embrace the chaos of Chennai by visiting the Arulmigu Vadapalani Murugan Temple. It was well worth the expense of hiring an accessible vehicle and a driver as it allowed us and Superbunny to get to said location...
One of the main draws to Chennai is Marina Beach which faces the Bay of Bengal and what better way to experience it than at sunset. From prior research, one had discovered that a wooden walkway had been erected a few years ago to allow wheelchair users to access...
It is worth noting that, as of August 2024, Chennai is undergoing a major extension of its metro system meaning roadworks are taking place across the city thus it seems to be a mission simply to get in and out of the city, especially when it’s mixed in with...
As ones ancestors used to work on the Indian Railways, it only seemed right to visit the Railway Museum in Chennai before we board the Vande Bharat Express to Coimbatore Junction on Friday. The museum costs 40 rupees (37p) to enter, however, disabled individuals can enter for free. The...
When you think of trains in India, one might struggle to see how accessibility is integrated into it’s railways. Granted, a large proportion of trains do have a specific carriage for the disabled albeit segregated from the general population, however ramps and lifts are scarce. This was, for the...
It’s difficult for one to fathom that just 24 hours ago, we were amongst the hustle and bustle of Chennai and now the only sounds one can hear is the tweeting of birds and crickets (and kids but we will dismiss that!). As mentioned previously, The Swarga Foundation assisted...
To answer the all important question, no, we didn’t see any tigers on the faff of a ‘jeep’ safari, let me explain. When booking the taxi to the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, the Ibex informed us that it is best to visit as early as possible to avoid the queues...
After a lazy morning, the plan was to head up to the Waterfall Tea Estate to sample and purchase some fresh tea for one to take back to the UK, simple right? Of course not! As I mentioned, one wanted to save money in preparation for our final destination,...
Today we embarked on our 5 hour trip in the wheelchair accessible van (courtesy of The Swarga Foundation) from Pollachi to our final destination, Kochi. Unfortunately, the way one had intended to travel suffered a few landslides hence was impassable so the highway it was. However as the highway...
Today one decided to swap the van wheels for the wheels of Superbunny and wander/roll around the Fort Kochi area under our own steam. Although there are a few ‘busy’ roads (very quaint compared to Chennai though!), the area consists of many side roads and alleyways that are perfect...
The plan for today was to explore the Backwaters of Kerala by boat. Although the hotel offer tours, one wanted something more ‘authentic’ and ‘off the beaten track’ as usual thus The Swarga Foundation kindly made a few enquiries and reserved a private houseboat. Of course, the accessibility of...
A trip to India wouldn’t be complete without a ride in a tuk tuk (plus it’s on ones bucket list) hence today we planned a short round trip whilst taking in the sights of the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica and the Mattancherry Palace… Perhaps one day, India will invest...
India, a melting pot of rich culture and varying landscapes. The country has always intrigued me personally but more so because there is little known to foreigners about disability and accessibility within India (what is available is mostly on the negative side). We have learnt from countries such as...
