A dose of Glamping

Camping is a fun activity but glamping is something else. One needs to experience to really get the most out of it. We’ve enjoyed many experiences with camping and glamping in a green canyon, in the desert and in a special glamping safari. Join me on this podcast as I speak about needing a dose of glamping now and again and rejuvenating your mind and soul.

Transcript

Episode 72: A dose of Glamping 

Hello Everyone and welcome to the podcast of the Ordinary Maverick. This is Ajey, your host, an ordinary Maverick sharing real life thoughts and experiences and Maverick tips. If you haven’t hit the subscribe button yet, please do so, and you’ll not miss another episode.

So what do you get when you combine the words, ‘glamorous’ and ‘camping’? well…it’s ‘glamping. And that’s a style of camping with amenities and almost resort style services that one doesn’t usually get with traditional camping.   

Now traditional camping invokes images like a camp fire and tents around it with everyone just managing with basics and simply enjoying the outdoors…right? There’s pleasure in doing just that too. I recall the time we did camping at the Blyde River Canyon in South Africa. Such an amazing place. The canyon is 26 kms long and is known as the ‘Green Canyon’ as it’s dominated by sub tropical vegetation. We did a road trip in that area some years back and there are some must sees – the three Rondavels which are three round, grass-covered mountain tops with somewhat pointed peaks. And then there are Bourke’s potholes which are found at the confluence of two rivers, the Treur and the Blyde. Unusual name, potholes…right? Well…it’s because they actually look like potholes in the ground when seen from above. However, what sustained kolks in the Treur river’s plunge pools have eroded a number of cylindrical potholes or giant’s kettles which one can see from above. Now you’ll be thinking what is a kolk? Well…it’s an underwater vortex that gets created when rapidly rushing water passes an underwater obstacle in boundary areas of high shear. High velocity is similar to a tornado.

It was pretty amazing to see these potholes closely and experience the beauty. And then the third must see is the God’s window. It a vantage point which you reach after passing through a very thick, amazon like forest and suddenly it all clears up as you reach the edge of the mountain. Once you reach here, time stands still and you can see an unhindered 180 degrees view of the land and forests below, cliffs etc and as far away as your eyes can see.…gosh it was so so stunning…

Well, we camped near to the area and enjoyed our time there. But it was traditional. We stayed at the camp site. Went and used the community facilities, enjoyed the tranquility that the camp site offers and cooked, cleaned ourselves. For those listening in, if you have camped out, you will agree that food cooked over a campsite tastes the best..

Well, all this camping talk has brought back memories of when we camped out in the desert. Yes, it as in the desert in central India. We went as a family and again it was a mix of camping out but having all your essentials taken care of…so one wasn’t really just thrown in the deep end. While the staying arrangements were good the best part was that there was help at the camp. So our meals were cooked and beds were made. Yes…there were beds in our tents so that was a kind of luxury. 

So I would say we are getting close to what is luxury camping or rather glamping. Well, we experienced that in South Africa and it’s a different level altogether. 

Luxurious tents with soft beds and heated blankets and attached bathrooms and then apart from all the luxury inside the tent there was the ‘external’ aspect of luxury too! Beautiful settings and grounds, with fantastic cuisine and everything catered for. When you go glamping, the entire experience is one of luxury. We went on a special safari and had sundowners in the bush and then were treated to some amazing food by the resident chef.

Imagine living in this most beautiful tent with soft beds, lovely interiors and a bathroom that was open to the skies above. Yes, the tent itself was just beautiful and then the service! Well, that was luxury at another level. We were totally spoilt. And as the experience of glamping sunk into us, it was an experience like no other and never to be forgotten. 

The few days that we spent ‘glamping’ are etched in our minds forever. And in fact have become one for the memory bank to be brought out when needed.

Now that’s what makes me say ‘we all need a dose of glamping’. Who doesn’t like luxury, right? Our bodies love the pampering and our minds love the beauty and calm of the environment around us. But what’s so special about glamping? I mean we could just go to any luxurious hotel and just enjoy and relax.

Well, glamping for one is always associated with nature. So the entire concept is that one enjoys nature, the outdoors but in luxury. Now, glamping is not new. The word maybe relatively new but not the concept. I mean think about the olden times…one hears about how the kings and the rich persons traveled with their entourage in splendour. No expense was spared and there was definitely a lot of attention to ensuring that the king was super comfortable. In fact, in the history books one reads how the Ottomans traveled in luxury in the 16th century and in fact artisans also traveled with the contingent to be able to erect and maintain these fancy tents.

In today’s world though glamping is increasing in popularity. As research shows, glampers are young and diverse. Sixty percent of leisure travelers who reported that they had glamped in the past two years are from the Millennial generation. In fact they also make up the largest group of glampers at 48 percent. 

Given our experience with glamping, I can say that it’s something that ensures that you’re enjoying the beauty of nature but at the same time not sacrificing comfort. There’s a glampers hub that can help in identifying glamping destinations and options in the place you’re in or want to travel too. There’s just something so invigorating about being surrounded by nature and living in tents – you know non traditional accommodation…not your typical luxury room. I’ve found that one relaxes more and the benefits of both being in nature but then getting pampered and in luxury at the same time cannot be measured.

I’ve spoken about mindfulness earlier. Well, the first component of the Maverick formula is to go with your gut. But that will only be successful and take you forward if you are mindful and in the present. That’s when the gut feeling is strong and intuitively correct.

And one of the tips that I would like to share is that spending time outdoors with nature really helps in building that gut feeling. And then experiencing luxury while doing so…well, that’s taking it to a different level altogether.

So fellow Mavericks, the next time you’re planning a holiday, think about exploring glamping. Believe me, you will not regret it, Go to the websites dedicated to glamping and there are quite a few and just see if there’s an option to do glamping whereever you’re going.

Join the global community of ‘glampers’ and delve into the world of glamping. You will not look back.

Do keep writing your comments and sharing feedback at ‘theordinarymaverick@gmail.com’ and follow me on Instagram #theordinarymaverick.  I love hearing from you. This is Ajey, signing off and wishing you have an amazing day and a super amazing year! Keep well. 

This podcast series was put together as a team effort from the Bhardwaj family.  Concept, design, title, researchers and reviewers: Ajey, Sanjana, Avantika and Niharika Bhardwaj; Script– Sanjana; Cover design – Niharika. All rights reserved.