Author | Lightnews

Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · May 5

On my loooooong flight(s) back home from Reykjavík to Kuala Lumpur, I fretted and fumed, and told myself, “I’m tired of this. I’m too old for this. I can’t do this any longer.” It’s 36 hours since I’ve got home, I’ve rested well and now I can’t stop making plans for future trips! Anyone relate?

Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · May 3

This legend turns 99 today, and this is such a lovely tribute to the man and the ways in which he has enriched our lives ❤️

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

Happy birthday, David Attenborough! 99 ways he has inspired us, by Barack Obama, Billie Eilish, Morgan Freeman – and many more

This week the presenter turns 99. To celebrate, we asked 99 nature lovers – including Margaret Atwood, Jane Fonda, Bono, Kate Winslet and Michael Palin – how he has helped us see the world with fresh ...

www.theguardian.com

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · May 3

Next up in my #icelandalbum, the stunning waterfalls dotted across the country - it is said there are over 10000 (I can believe that, given how so many along the roads don’t even get star billing). I stopped to see only a handful, but each was so unique and aweinspiring.

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · May 2

I knew Iceland was going to be beautiful, but it truly took my breath away. Starting a photo series today of my #icelandalbum

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Apr 16

For a travel piece on Sri Lanka, I’m looking for new, exciting hotel openings across the country. Please hit me up with your recos #journorequest

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Apr 12

You need expert eyes to spot these camouflaged cats in their natural habits. I wrote about the snow leopard trackers of Ladakh’s Lungmar Remote Camp work towards responsible wildlife tourism and conservation in the barren lands of Hemis National Park.

adventure.com/snow-leopard...

Want to find a snow leopard? These snow leopard trackers have a perfect record

How do you find a snow leopard in Ladakh? You find a snow leopard tracker to help you. Charukesi Ramadurai pays the conservationists a visit.

adventure.com

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Apr 8

My Uganda trip late last year lives rent free in my mind - and my latest two stories published this month are from those memorable days. Here’s a six-pager on trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to see mountain gorillas.

www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg/lifestyle/ug...

Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Apr 3

Re. this old NYT piece: Whichever side of the debate you fall, just remember - writing always demands focus, dedication and professionalism. Don't treat it like a hobby, don't miss deadlines, don't be afraid to ask for more money.

www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/b...

Is Being a Writer a Job or a Calling? (Published 2015)

Benjamin Moser and Dana Stevens discuss whether being a writer is just a job or a loftier ambition.

www.nytimes.com

Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Apr 2

Congratulations 🥂

Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Apr 2

Oh yes, women have all the imposter syndrome in the world. I’d kill for the confidence of the average white male.

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Apr 1

Here's a question for writer folks: when struggling with writer's block, do you ever go back to a story you wrote ages ago and read it again, just to say - "Ok, so I CAN write. I can do this. Deep breath." No? Only me? Ok then.
#freelancejournalist

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Mar 31

This is something I struggle with all the time. I understand the editors are busy and have overflowing inboxes, and can’t respond to every pitch - but surely a well written, thoughtful pitch merits a no thank you 🤷🏻‍♀️

Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Mar 29

Want to see cherry blossoms, but daunted by Japan's costs and crowds in peak season. Try South Korea instead. For Nikkei Asia, I wrote about gorgeous Gyeongju, known as the museum without walls.
asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Li...

Cherry blossoms on your mind? Try South Korea

Gyeongju combines marvelous blooms with historic tombs and palaces

asia.nikkei.com

Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Mar 28

For Travel + Leisure, I wrote about the unique, fascinating ecosystem of Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania - a forest Ernest Hemingway described as “the loveliest I have ever seen in Africa.”

Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Mar 25

Ha ha, this would be funny if it weren’t so scary!

Pup Fiction @pupfiction.bsky.social · Mar 25

And then Jesus turned to his disciples and said:
“One of you will betray me in the group chat”
“Not I my Lord!” they all cried, except for the one journalist that someone had inadvertently invited

Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Mar 25

Travelling solo is wayyyyyy better than travelling with someone who’s not in the same wavelength as you. It’s the latter that can make you feel lonely and miserable, even in your dream destination.
#travel #solotravel

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Mar 24

I stood in minus 15 C temp, at an altitude of 3,700 meters, hoping for a glimpse of the elusive snow leopard. While I eventually saw one, the waiting gave me an important lesson in mindfulness. I wrote about this challenging, exhilarating experience for Nikkei Asia:

asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Pic...

The hunt for the snow leopard

How my quest for a big cat sighting turned into a lesson in mindfulness

asia.nikkei.com

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Mar 22

Recently came across something Anthony Bourdain (purportedly) said and it resonated so hard - “Travel is not a reward for working, it's an education for living”. Yes, absolutely ✈️

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Mar 21

It was a winter wonderland in #Armenia - at Dilijan pass, the unexpected snowfall in late winter was just magical ❄️

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Mar 13

Night falls silently on Mount Kazbegi - the view from my room at 9pm #Georgia

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Mar 12

Snowy days in Kazbegi #Georgia

Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Mar 7

For my latest story for National Geographic, I explored Xian’s magnificent city walls, delving into its history and present day form as an urban park.

www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/artic...

China’s other great wall is impressive, too—and steeped in history

The 8.5-mile-long wall that surrounds Xi’an, touted as one of the best-preserved walled fortifications in China, could be the next UNESCO World Heritage site.

www.nationalgeographic.com

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Jan 31

The colours of Sri Lanka’s tea country 💚

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Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Jan 1

2024 was also a wild, wild year for me - I saw lions and leopards, cheetahs and servals, giraffe and zebras, hippos and rhinos, chimpanzees and gorillas, elephants and antelopes. I also began the year with tigers at Tadoba and ended it with snow leopards at Ladakh.

Charukesi @charukesi.bsky.social · Dec 30

Scenes from a small town fair - anyone remember these annual events? It used to so exciting as kids!