6 Must Visit Tea festivals around the world

Tea looks Calm
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It was a perfect morning today unlike other days when I am preoccupied by too many things. Maybe the video of 'School of Life' on Rikyu who explored the role of a cup of tea for calm life changed my mindset. The idea that the Japanese tea ceremony and 'wabi sabi' brings forth; appreciation of simplicity and acceptance of imperfection in life is the inevitable beautiful truth! I seemed to enjoy my tea differently today; dive into the unique flavours and fragrance that filled the room with tranquillity. All I thought was nothing but only this moment; my being at this very moment. I suddenly realised how much I wanted to make a list of the best tea festivals around the world that I can visit to experience tea culture and history that is so underrated! We are the tea lovers who are proud of its rich colourful history and unique cultural tradition around the world which has allured admirers throughout centuries. 

Tea has been enjoyed as a popular beverage since 2000 years and there are several festivals around the world that encourage the experience of exclusive culture of tea. The word has derived several connotations and served as a romantic getaway in history to exotic places. People are looking for unique travel experiences and if you are looking for unusual ideas and experiences to try then tea festivals are worth it! It is a classic experience that can be cherished and remembered as an exotic outing. Here goes my list that I have pinned down on my board! 

Found on scribblescrabblescrawl.wordpress.com

6. Tea World Festival

Where: Seoul, Korea

When: June

This festival has become popular as the largest tea exhibition in Korea. The festival consists of events, performances and tea brewing ceremony. The festival began in 2003 and has been a tourist attraction for all these years. There are several themes explored in the Tea festival that lets tea enthusiasts grasp the essence of oriental tea culture. People can taste exotic tea from all around the world and learn the art of brewing tea which is considered an essential part in the oriental culture! Tea lovers can also shop for tea equipments, tea products and attractive tea crafts at the festival. It is a must visit festival for every tea lover who is planning to visit Seoul.

World Tea FestivalFound on budgettravelerssandbox.com 

5. World O-CHA (Tea) Festival

Where: Shizuoka, Japan

When: May

Shizuoka is considered as the Tea capital and it will be 6^th World O-CHA Tea festival in 2016. The festival aims to create a unique tea culture and experience. The festival encourages people to be moved by 5 senses while experiencing tea. The Japanese Tea art has been appreciated all around the world and there is an increasing curiosity around it. The festival has several events like music to help people discover the harmony in tea experience. It aims to bring a healing space for people to experience tea ceremony with all their senses. There were around 28 countries that participated in the 4^th World O-CHA festival. Your family can enjoy the charm of tea in a harmonious way in the tea capital Shizuoka. There are several events like tea tasting, blending and a unique tea ceremony. There are baking demos organized along with workshops that can be enjoyed by the kids too. They will totally love the exquisite desserts served to them.

World O-CHA FestivalFound on imperialfamilyjapan.wordpress.com

4 Tea & Tourism Festival

Where: Ooty, India

When: January every year

The three day tea festival in the tea hills is very popular in India. The festival has dance and music along with other cultural activities. It is a popular tourist destination for families because of the serene Blue Mountains that cultivate ‘Nilgiri’ tea. It is a scenic tiny hill station that becomes a popular tourist destination every winter for the tea festival. The festival is popular for its tour to the tea gardens, safaris, cultural activities, music and delicious food. The place is festival is organized amidst the scenic rivers. The festival serves special tea from different parts of the world. You will be treated to exotic tea and get an opportunity to interact with the locals in the hills. There are several cultural activities associated with the tea festival which includes interesting carnival, music and dance festivals. The festival is organized amidst the dense forest and natural scenic location that brings the charm of tea ceremony alive!

Lost in absolute bliss
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Scenic Hills of OotyFound on travelpackage-india.blogspot.in

3. Teesta Tea festival

Where: Darjeeling, India

When: November every year

The tea festival is celebrated on a grand scale in the hilly areas of Darjeeling that has splendid stretch of tea gardens. There are many tourists and locals who gather at the tea festival from distant places. Darjeeling has scenic beauty and cold climate that serves as a perfect getaway for Tea culture experience. The festival has unique experiences like food carnival, film festival and toy train ride that are important tourist attractions apart from the tea ceremony. Tea is rightly called the “Champagne of the east” in Darjeeling as the tea flavours are unique and exotic. It is a treat for every tea lover to witness the grandiose tea festival. You will get the opportunity to take a tour of the tea gardens and taste exotic variety of special Darjeeling tea.

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Mystic beauty
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2. Sydney Tea Festival

Where: Sydney, Australia

When: August every year

If you are looking for a contemporary tea experience in Australia then it is time to discover the best artisanal teas. The tea festival celebrates specialty loose leaf tea in specially organized tea ceremonies, food pairing and workshops on tea basics. It is an interesting festival if you are looking to discover the history and benefits of different tea variants around the world. There are unique activities like tea meditation and tea dessert pairing if you are looking for unique workshops. There are tea art contests, appraisals, tea auctions, fairs and tea art talks organized for the tea lovers.

Sydney Tea FestivalFound on makerssociety.com.au

1. Tea Festival Jorhat

Where: Jorhat, India

When: November every year

The tea festival of Jorhat is organized in the northeastern state of Assam in India which is situated amidst extensive tea gardens and forms the backbone of tea industry in India. The tea festival is an exciting festivity for warm and traditional experience for the family. Several music festivals, sports and cultural activities are organized for the tourists. People can also taste traditional food items and several new variants of tea. River rafting and other adventure sports can also be enjoyed by the family. The festival serves special tea from different parts of the world. It is a must visit if you like an unusual tea festival experience amidst the natural environment.

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Magnolia Fragrance: My gift from Thailand

Wake up like this! 

Travelling is a never ending affair that leaves behind its trace long after we bid goodbye! The affair with the city does not end and we end up bringing a part of that city with us. One such strong moment that has stayed with me is the fragrance of Magnolia in Thailand. I fell in love with the exotic, sweet, earthly and pleasant fragrance of magnolia that enamoured my senses. The first time I was introduced to the fragrance I felt magically enthralled by it like I was kissed by my first love on a rainy day. The fragrance is so sensual and earthly that I could not stop myself from picking everything related to magnolia. I found a small shop in Bangkok at the main street market that sold small bottles of authentic magnolia oil for 35 baht. There were other fragrant oils too but my interest was in the enchanting magnolia. My friend Joy who I knew for a long time at the University in England made was from Thailand and she made sure that I am only taken to the  best places in Thailand. Little did she know that my obsession with this fragrance would drive her nuts! She took me to this amazingly cute place called Omoi Zakka shop which is in the center of Bangkok. It is a warm and cozy place that has insanely attractive products from souveniers, fragrances to special products. I found a really interesting Diary, Magnolia candles and oil. There was so much to explore!

Contemporary set up
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We entered a local store after our long car drive as we were out of wipes. My friend picked a packet of chips and some biscuits and while she was busy picking random food items my eyes caught the attention of Magnolia shampoo. I was drawn to the beauty section and ended up shopping for magnolia shampoo and conditioner. Incense sticks have never excited me so much as my Indian mother has always stocked quite a few in her house. However this time I was drawn to them only because the incense sticks had my favourite fragrance. We quietly got into the car after I picked all the products possible and my friend took me to visit her grandmother; upon our arrival at their house the grandmother said "Oh so we have a thai girl here!" She could see how much I adored the thai culture and my first day was a truly memorable one indeed. Oriental culture has always intrigued me and it already feels like home when you address your friend's parents as Mumma and Papa because the culture is so close knit. 

Even today I keep the small bottle of Magnolia Oil in my bag and it reminds me of my sweet affair with my enchanting land of Thailand.  

Omoi Zakka Shop

My love with Coventry

There are few places that can make you feel so nostalgic and every place has a story. I visited Coventry University where I graduated and realized how much I missed this place. Every corner came to haunt me and remind me of a special story I had at this very place. While experiencing a bittersweet romance we hardly realize how important something starts to be in your life. All you probably manage to do is get totally lost in the picturesque moments painted every single day. I went to the bridge and sat down thinking why few stories do not work. Why few stories manage to whisper an honest getaway but seem empty after a while. It was difficult for me to come back to Coventry again; perhaps there are so many students like me who have their memorable University Stories in Coventry. The city will never be wiped out of your memory because it forms part of your youthful years when every day disappears and before you realize it is time to graduate! I took some time to let the nostalgia sink in and observe young students flock Quids Inn. I overheard a pretty brunette with dark brown eyes and shoulder length hair talk to her cute Asian friend.

“Probably he must be so happy with what happened yesterday. Maybe he feels “I need him”. He must think I am really silly. I cannot imagine we are strangers now after being together for so long.” The young Asian Girl stared at her friend and said one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard in my life. “It is interesting how you like to believe that there is no word like care and everything someone does has to be the right or the wrong way. I like to believe you are not that silly, you have not sold your soul and etched hopeless stories over them. You know why stories are hopeless? Because they have indifference! Sometimes we feel we walked away from a place long time ago; the truth is we are still strolling across the crossroad hoping for someone to hold our hand. No one holds that hand until you lean and look around. Maybe nights would not be that messed up; you would not wake up in the middle of the night hoping everything vanishes! Maybe you would stop hiding behind the three letter word “You” and remove the mask. Don’t pity yourself for being vulnerable!”

I was so awestruck at what I heard. Suddenly it made me realize how Coventry gave me a familiar sense of belonging and still made me feel like it belongs to me and I belong to this place. It made me realize how people have compelling stories and moments to share that can be grasped when you decide to be a silent spectator like I did today. Coventry gave me a souvenir in the form of noteworthy words that I will always remember! 

My never ending love with Coventry

Whisper Tree

Memories

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We look back!

Some journeys we take in life remain with us forever! They are like the wish jars that we keep close to our hearts and never let go. I have always written these tiny notes to myself and protected them in a wish jar from the fierce eyes of the world, I took these jars always with me everywhere I wanted to belong and the cities sometimes made me feel secure. I was in love last Summer and went for my first holiday with him in Bournemouth. The city made me feel comfortable and awkward at the same time as I was struggling to come to terms with this special holiday that perhaps meant something for our 'togetherness'. I walked with him in the sandy beaches and struggled with the strong winds that made my hair messy and my thoughts cluttered with something he said! I kept thinking to myself if I was really sure about the way I felt when I saw him enter my class.

  My mind wandered back to the first day of my Masters class in England when I decided to ditch my jacket after a hot water bath and entered the class feeling cold after few minutes. I looked around in the class and saw a pretty Caucasian girl with sharp features and bright personality that caught my eyes. She was with the red haired fierce girl who had a striking piercing on her lip that caught my attention. I walked towards the coffee and cookie table where few students were busy chatting away. I stood there and held the piping cup of coffee and changed my mind to tea within a minute, I reached for the cookie and as I was about to bite into it, somebody entered the class. I saw the light brown eyed coy boy enter the room wearing an awkward smile with an intoxicating yet so flawed look. The generous layers of clothes that he wore seemed to convincingly hide his damaged soul. I reminded myself that I have been creepily staring at him for a while when I saw him approaching me, as his lips moved to introduce himself I couldn't hear anything, yet his name screamed aloud in every corner of my mind! I saw myself running away from this guy but inviting myself through my eyes to his never ending stories about traveling and cities. I never realised how we got together even before the official lectures started in the University. He held my hand and told our inquisitive friends that we are officially dating while I stopped myself from thinking it was all too fast or just a rebound.

  The generous tap on my shoulders for another serving of ice cream at the cafe near the beach in Bournemouth broke my flash back zone and I was again with him, wanting to go back to our hotel room where we decided to skip city tour and have 'wine and movie time'. I was half way through the movie and I saw him sleep so peacefully that I knew I wanted to be with him. I wanted to be with this damaged person not to heal but to live with him, to make him write tiny notes and protect these picturesque dreams in my wish jar. I saw myself want to live his dreams and make his journey worthwhile as I drench myself in his love! The city of Bournemouth gave me my moment that I penned down in my diary and framed it with a letter I wrote for him. Some journeys are indeed special when we look back because they give us our first moment of selfless love!