Friday, July 30, 2010

All in a day's work




At Compass we strongly believe in 'all work and no play makes travel consultants dull boys and girls' so just to make sure that the Compass team has a smile on the face all the time we frequently celebrate those little achievements that matter. On 30th July, the Marketing and Operations team gathered together to celebrate Anupama's promotion as the new Associate Director, Marketing and Saurabh's conquest in the Spanish market.
 


These little 'Cake Parties' (that's what we call them) are everyone's favorite since it gives us a chance to lighten up after a busy day at work!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

The fabulous Bharatpur trip




Work was hectic and everyone needed a break - that's when the travel planners planned a two day getaway for themselves! Off to Bharatpur was the Compass team to do what they do best - travel and have a quick fun trip.
The Compass Team


One of the finest bird parks in the world, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park) is a reserve that offers protection to faunal species as well. Nesting indigenous water- birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside birds, this sanctuary is also inhabited by Sambar, Chital, Nilgai and Boar. And to our mighty surprise we managed to spot a sambar on our way to lunch at the Forest Lodge. 

The road trip was just as fun as the trip itself. The highlights of the trip were - a cricket match between the team members and a 'musical evening' followed by team dinner where everyone came to know of their colleagues' hidden talents. Yes, we've got quite a few nightingales here at Compass!

The cricket match in progress


Bharatpur will be fondly remembered as - that much needed break and a fabulous team building trip.



Monday, May 3, 2010

APRIL- The Month of The Ash Cloud Crisis






Volcano Eyjafjallajokull's eruption caused widespread air traffic disruption Photo: EPA


The travel trade can finally breathe a sigh of relief for we are past the ash cloud crisis… well somewhat. All over the world travellers suffered especially the ones who were flying to or from Europe. Travellers crowding airport terminals was a scene common to several airports and everyone fell a victim to nature’s unexpected mood swing. No one knew who to blame, travellers wanted to blame someone, so did travel agents and tour operators, the airlines too wanted someone to take responsibility. People questioned airlines’ policies since some received refunds some not even sympathy. This was just a reminder on how we aren’t prepared for everything and why sometimes sometimes such irksome disruptions lead to unexpected holiday extensions.
Of course there are those optimists in every situation who take everything that comes whether good or bad turn it into something, well lets just put it simply – fun.

While airlines dint know what to do, travellers turned to their travel agents for help. This meant the travel agents’ worst nightmare coming true, no scratch that you can expect things like that, this was way out of the blue. But agents decided to ease the situation, doing all they can, working 24x7 to help out the stranded flyers. And so did we. The weather being extremely favourable to travel in the subcontinent, there were a lot of people touring and because of the delay in flights being presumed a great many of them experienced the crisis. But with a lot of back breaking efforts COMPASS ensured that all its travellers were taken care of, accommodation arranged, any tour extension if required was provided, daily conta ct with local offices etc. Just why we had several smiling faces when they were finally taken to the airport for their flight back home.

One such traveller was Lorraine, from England, touring India with 5 of her friends, who had a marvellous time in the midst of the ash cloud crisis. Her mail to the representative who handled her tour reads:

Hi
we had a great holiday, thank you and will give all feedback later on return to england . Currently we are stranded in Mumbai as i guess you know as no flights, Air india were not much help as such a unique situation, have found a hotel in juhu district ….
.. but we re all trying to make the best of it despite lack of pool and the lovely accomodation we have had!

many thanks
Lorraine

Thursday, April 1, 2010

A Wonderful Weekend of Yoga, Relaxation and Fun at the beautiful SOLE EAST Resort in Montauk Long Island.


Come join Compass India Inc. as we participate in a wonderful weekend of Yoga, Relaxation and Fun at the beautiful SOLE EAST Resort in Montauk Long Island.
Friday April 30th through Sunday May 2, 2010



For details regarding confirmation etc please visit the events page on our website: http://www.compassindiainc.com/event.html

The retreat is going to be a gathering of people who will primarily come to Sole East to practice Yoga. Yoga teacher Greg Tebb, has designed an itinerary for the weekend which has a few activities. You can do yoga, as well as some chanting (group singing) and Pranayama (breathing techniques). You also get to eat meals as a group and meet new people and generally have fun. The Resort, Sole East, is located in Montauk, New York. Montauk is surrounded by beaches and the ocean, located at the eastern most point of Long Island, so the surroundings will be very beautiful and conducive for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Inked !


When did you last write a letter to a friend or family? And by letter, we do not mean e-mail. It’s been ages since anyone of us actually sent out or received a handwritten letter, thanks to Blackberrys. And when we receive one, we’re delighted because we realize that someone actually took time out to pen down a few words for us, more so when those are words of appreciation, which is exactly what we felt when we received a letter from one of our guests, Mr. Martinez.

Here’s the short note he sent us when he received the Christmas Card we sent (read post, as in snail mail) him.


We’d like to thank Mr Martinez for his generosity, it was awfully nice of you! Made us feel special. 

We also thought we'd post a picture that he sent us, he is a good photographer. 

Gaur - clicked by Mr Martinez

If you've travelled with us and have a feedback please write to us, and if you are yet to, write to us so that we can help you plan your Great Indian Escape and win you over !

We have a lot more testimonials from our guests on our sites, visit the Testimonials page if you would like to read a few.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Coz it's around the corner : HOLI !!



When you see all those around you drenched in colours, not a face that you can recognize, don't worry.. this is just how India celebrates Holi !

India is all about festivals and colours. Well, on Holi you experience a splendid amalgamation of both.

It is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India. The most celebrated Holi is that of the Braj region, in locations connected to Lord Krishna.

Even so, whichever part of our colourful country you are in on Holi, you will for sure have a great time because “fun” you see, is as essential to Holi as the colours.

Hre’s a li’l bit about the festival:

HOLIKA DAHAN

Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (burning of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad accomplished when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of god Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan is referred to as Kama Dahanam in Andhra Pradesh. The main day, Holi, also known as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and colored water at each other.

Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalgun (February/March), (Phalgun Purnima), which usually falls in the later part of February or March. In 2009, Holi (Dhulandi) was on March 11 and Holika Dahan was on March 10.

Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), marking the end of festivities involving colors.


HOLI CELEBRATIONS 

The enthusiasm of the people reaches its peak and matches with the nature which is in full bounty at the time of Holi.

Holi has been celebrated in India since time immemorial but the popularity of Holi celebrations seems to be rising with every passing year and so is the level of hoo-ha. As no other festival gives so much liberty to the people to let their hair loose and enjoy their hidden crazy self.

Differences of any sort are drowned in the colored waters of Holi and people just enjoy being a play animal. To further enhance the festive spirit of Holi celebrations we have a social sanction to get a kick with the tradition of bhang. Then there is total wildness as people dance to the rhythm of dholak and sing traditional folk songs.

Children particularly enjoy the festival as they throw water filled balloons at passersby...and if anybody stares. Besides, they have their water missiles, called pichkaris to drench even those who are far away.

But Holi is just so much more than just a festival. People play with colours, enjoy bonfires and indulge in fine delicacies.

Everyone enjoys every moment to the hilt and you're invited to be part of it... look forward to playing the colouring games!!



Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Unforgettable Bharatpur Trip

They say it is a birder's delight, but I feel it is any wildlife aficionado's delight. Even after repeated visits to Keoladeo, 185 kms from Delhi, the sight of an enigmatic Dusky Eagle owl never ceases to fascinate me, and this time around I had my precious Nikon Binocs -god bless his soul whoever(Hans Lippershay?) invented it.

The first day just walked around the park for a couple of hours, we did not have much time. The high point being the spotting of the Grey Nightjar, remembering how once Jim Corbett shot a tiger with an egg of the nightjar in one hand and the rifle on the other. I spotted a flock of partridges and said "look Partridge", 'excuse me mam, the new name is Grey Francolin', the Naturalist corrected me. New name? Who gave it? Who wanted it? Nevertheless I moved on. Walking alongside the road where the car park is on left hand side and the bushes on the right hand side, we saw this lone Jackal. Very alert, ears cocked up! I was on foot and so was he. He gave me a bewildered look and after a few seconds disappeared into the wilderness.

Next day, I had decided to spend the whole day at the park, so convinced the Naturalist to have a heavy breakfast and stick with me till cows came home! The start was a great one as we spotted a pair of Collared scops owl on the top perch of the magnificent Sal tree. This time of the year Bharatpur gets its annual migratory visitors hence we were lucky to see few Rudy Shelduck which are local migratory (Ladakh). What a beauty, grace personified! Very close to the water body we saw this group of men with huge cameras which looked almost like Bazookas, filming something. With a polite smile, I ventured into their domain and there right in front of me a Black Neck stork!

Whoever named it black necked was indeed colour blind because the neck was a deep shade of turquoise. I guess I am not as qualified as the British Group of Ornithologists who are in this name game.

Few kms into the park, this guy reacting to’information’ made me walk into the park for about a km and there I see this huge Rock Python lying (sprawling) in the sun, basking in its glory. This is my debut with snake sighting, and what a debut! I was dumbstruck. What a gorgeous creature! it was approx. 11ft long. He was resting after a morning meal, completely oblivious to the attention he was generating. 'Mast' in his own world.

When will we learn to be like them?