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India Today
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- India Today
Happy World Snake Day, my relatives
Slither in silence, strike without warning, and shed your skin when it suits you. These aren't classic traits of snakes, reptiles we celebrate every year on July 16, World Snake Day, but of our venomous kin. While the world applauds the role of snakes in the ecosystem, I'd like to extend an honourable mention to another species that's more venomous than snakes: the next few minutes, I will make a case as to why my relatives should be celebrated on World Snake Day a snake can do, they can do better. With less hissing, more whispering. Here, a word of caution is also needed: 75% of snake species in India are not venomous. World Snake Day is celebrated to spread information about snakes, which are an important part of the ecosystem, and to take out phobia and most snakes are nonvenomous, they evoke fear. But relatives? Almost always emotionally venomous, pretending to be also need provocation to attack, but relatives don't are silent and calculated, and strike while the irony is hot, and the receiver unsuspecting.I still remember I was all of 10 when I walked into a room by mistake and overheard a conversation about my complexion. No one paused or even sudden movements. Just slow was a regular day for them. For me, it was the beginning of staring at mirrors for answers for many years to you grow up, their fangs and venom change form. So do their is no more direct or straight, but cautious and as stinging as Instagram-inspired outfit will earn you compliments at the moment, cousins grinning, and even aunties nodding approvingly like serpents basking in the warmth of your hours later, the same aunties would slither over to your mother and hiss softly, "Acha hai... aap log rokte nahi ho kisi cheez se (Good, that you guys don't keep tabs on her)." A sentence so light it could pass for praise — but laced with just enough venom to trigger a full-blown panic in your parents' because of what you wore, but because someone else if clothes trigger quiet panic, try having an real life, it starts small. You question a custom, challenge a sexist room stills — not in anger, but in calculation. That's when you know you've stepped where they didn't expect you to. Their tails. No bites though for now. Just a shift in air pressure, the coiling of discomfort around your family WhatsApp groups, it's subtler. You share an article or a post — carefully worded, not too radical. You post a story — a protest or even a romantic group doesn't reply. Not immediately. Then comes the emoji reaction. Then silence. And finally, a call from your snakes have struck, transmitting venom not through bite but via vial, to be injected by someone if there's one topic that sends the snakes slithering out from behind potted plants of drawing rooms and polite smiles, it's shaadi (marriage).You could be writing columns, coding, travelling or spending some time attempting to be a better human being or even surviving capitalism with your spine (mostly) intact — but come one family dinner, all that dissolves into a single loaded question: "Job toh theek hai, par shaadi kab kar rahi ho? (Career is fine, but when are you getting married?)"If it's a pungi or been for snakes, it's the shehnai for our in-house snakes.I sometimes wonder, what will they ask if I do get married and then I look at my married cousins. The questions don't stop, they only double as the relatives double. Marriage is a way of inviting more snakes into your done. The goalpost doesn't shift. It's just that they all my hissing relatives, I raise a toast on World Snake Day. It'll be cocktails and not milk. Go, hiss it to my parents!Snakes of the real world look so much tame to me now because my relatives have revealed to me that hissing isn't always loud, and venom doesn't need fangs. They have proved that you don't need scales for slithery movement, and that shedding skin is a the cobras keep the forests. You've got the drawing rooms covered. Let the vipers stay coiled in the wild. You've been circling me with shaadi discussions since I turned 23. Let the pythons stay in documentaries. You've already squeezed the life out of every achievement with your World Snake Day, my relatives.- Ends
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
It's official: the world's best island is in Europe and I visited this summer – it's stunning but has one big downside
PAROS has been voted the world's best island, and it happened to be where I went on holiday this year. It's got everything you want from a Advertisement 7 Paros has everything you'd expect from a Greek island - beautiful views and great food Credit: Chloe Penwill 7 Phoenix (left) and I took a trip to Paros and found some hidden gems Credit: Chloe Penwill The island is known for having Inspired by Instagram, I booked the tickets, confirmed an Airbnb, and was on my way. The journey wasn't an easy one I'll admit, my friend, Phoenix and I flew to Advertisement Read More on Euro Breaks It was much cheaper than flying though, ferry trips to the island can be as little as €20 (£17.23). But if you're in a rush, you can fly from the UK to Of course, the island's major downside - how difficult it is to get there - is why it's also so wonderful, as it means that it has evaded the overtourism that has plagued some of the other pretty Greek islands. I was staying in the second largest town on the island, Advertisement Most read in Beach holidays Parikia was chaotic, it's where you'll find the port and it's the hub of the island. Phoenix and I were ushered into a taxi by a very friendly local who drove for 20 minutes across the island to Naoussa where we found paradise. It was completely different to Parikia, the streets were quiet, there were incredible beaches and I could hear the chatter of stall owners at the local shops selling jewellery, linen dresses and souvenirs. The unknown European island that is the -new Mykonos- but with cheap hotels and quiet beaches 7 Monastiri Beach Club was my favourite stop - we were there all day Credit: Chloe Penwill Advertisement 7 Water activities are popular, like boat parties and snorkelling Credit: Chloe Penwill But unlike other places I've visited, the locals were friendly, didn't push me to buy anything and instead simply smiled. As I said, my trip was Instagram-inspired so there were already some pre-planned stops on holiday. The first was to Advertisement It's one of those places that you'd only end up at if you know about it beforehand as it's tucked away on the north of the island. We took a Deciding to spend our day there, we rented out two sunbeds which were more like memory foam mattresses and a sun umbrella for €60 (£51.20). It was lively with a DJ and tasty cocktails available to order from the bar. Advertisement Something I found about the island was that it remained quiet until 1am. We often booked to have dinner between eight and nine o'clock and it would still be peaceful with the bars not filling up until the early hours of the morning. That's when I discovered another Instagram hotspot on the island was called Barbarossa. Advertisement It's a famous I wouldn't say cocktails were cheap, but they weren't too expensive either, the average I spent on a drink was €17 (£14.65). 7 Seafood risotto was a popular dish in Paros Credit: Chloe Penwill 7 Luaz was a popular dinner spot and right on the beach Credit: Chloe Penwill Advertisement The food on the island was delicious, particularly the seafood - there were lots of sushi and fish risottos. Some of our favourites were Almond, Tsachpinis-Ouzeri ton Nautikon and Fotis All Day Bar. Luaz was especially popular as you get to eat dinner right on the water's edge which is particularly impressive during golden hour. As for activities, being an island, the Advertisement We joined Captain Ben's Cruise which took us around the island, it stopped five times for us to dive into the water. On the way we stopped by the Blue Lagoon and a sea cave as well as Despotiko Island where we lazed about on The tickets were €110 (£94.77) each, that included the tour as well as breakfast, lunch, snacks, ice cream, and five alcoholic drinks throughout the cruise. My favourite part was when everyone dived into the water and had Prosecco in the water which bobbed around on an inflatable table. Advertisement One thing I loved about the island is that it has everything you want out of a holiday. Whether that's a quiet spot on a sandy beach to relax, head off on a wild boat party, or eat authentic I'm so happy that Paros has been recognised for its beauty and everything it has to offer, but I'll be sad that it will no longer be the quiet gem I discovered. And here is another Advertisement Plus, the four 7 I visited Paros - which is now the world's best island Credit: Chloe Penwill
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
It's official: the world's best island is in Europe and I visited this summer – it's stunning but has one big downside
Plus, where to find the most beautiful restaurant right on the beach ISLAND GEM It's official: the world's best island is in Europe and I visited this summer – it's stunning but has one big downside Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PAROS has been voted the world's best island, and it happened to be where I went on holiday this year. It's got everything you want from a Greek destination with white and grey-lined pavements, chalky houses with blue window frames, all adorned with pink bougainvillea flowers hanging across from verandas - so I'm inclined to say it's a must-see. 7 Paros has everything you'd expect from a Greek island - beautiful views and great food Credit: Chloe Penwill 7 Phoenix (left) and I took a trip to Paros and found some hidden gems Credit: Chloe Penwill Paros had never been on my radar up until this summer when it kept popping up on social media - and now it's been dubbed the 'best island in the world' by Travel + Leisure. The island is known for having beautiful beaches, traditional villages and a buzzing nightlife. Inspired by Instagram, I booked the tickets, confirmed an Airbnb, and was on my way. The journey wasn't an easy one I'll admit, my friend, Phoenix and I flew to Athens before getting on a connecting ferry to Paros, which took five hours. It was much cheaper than flying though, ferry trips to the island can be as little as €20 (£17.23). But if you're in a rush, you can fly from the UK to Athens, then take a connecting flight to Paros which is just 45 minutes. Of course, the island's major downside - how difficult it is to get there - is why it's also so wonderful, as it means that it has evaded the overtourism that has plagued some of the other pretty Greek islands. I was staying in the second largest town on the island, Naoussa, but the ferry stops at the capital Parikia. Parikia was chaotic, it's where you'll find the port and it's the hub of the island. Phoenix and I were ushered into a taxi by a very friendly local who drove for 20 minutes across the island to Naoussa where we found paradise. It was completely different to Parikia, the streets were quiet, there were incredible beaches and I could hear the chatter of stall owners at the local shops selling jewellery, linen dresses and souvenirs. The unknown European island that is the -new Mykonos- but with cheap hotels and quiet beaches 7 Monastiri Beach Club was my favourite stop - we were there all day Credit: Chloe Penwill 7 Water activities are popular, like boat parties and snorkelling Credit: Chloe Penwill But unlike other places I've visited, the locals were friendly, didn't push me to buy anything and instead simply smiled. As I said, my trip was Instagram-inspired so there were already some pre-planned stops on holiday. The first was to Monastiri Beach, and beach club. It's one of those places that you'd only end up at if you know about it beforehand as it's tucked away on the north of the island. We took a water taxi across the bay to the club and got two return tickets for €13 (£11.20) - the taxi is regular, going back and forth every hour. Deciding to spend our day there, we rented out two sunbeds which were more like memory foam mattresses and a sun umbrella for €60 (£51.20). It was lively with a DJ and tasty cocktails available to order from the bar. Monastiri Beach was by far my favourite; apart from the club, it was remote with shallow and warm waters that were literally turquoise. Something I found about the island was that it remained quiet until 1am. We often booked to have dinner between eight and nine o'clock and it would still be peaceful with the bars not filling up until the early hours of the morning. That's when I discovered another Instagram hotspot on the island was called Barbarossa. It's a famous cocktail and seafood bar having served celebrities, members of royal families, and it has become a hit on social media because of its white cloth waving parties. I wouldn't say cocktails were cheap, but they weren't too expensive either, the average I spent on a drink was €17 (£14.65). 7 Seafood risotto was a popular dish in Paros Credit: Chloe Penwill 7 Luaz was a popular dinner spot and right on the beach Credit: Chloe Penwill The food on the island was delicious, particularly the seafood - there were lots of sushi and fish risottos. Some of our favourites were Almond, Tsachpinis-Ouzeri ton Nautikon and Fotis All Day Bar. Luaz was especially popular as you get to eat dinner right on the water's edge which is particularly impressive during golden hour. As for activities, being an island, the boat tours and parties were a big hit and of course, we had to hop onboard one. We joined Captain Ben's Cruise which took us around the island, it stopped five times for us to dive into the water. On the way we stopped by the Blue Lagoon and a sea cave as well as Despotiko Island where we lazed about on Livadi Beach. The tickets were €110 (£94.77) each, that included the tour as well as breakfast, lunch, snacks, ice cream, and five alcoholic drinks throughout the cruise. My favourite part was when everyone dived into the water and had Prosecco in the water which bobbed around on an inflatable table. One thing I loved about the island is that it has everything you want out of a holiday. Whether that's a quiet spot on a sandy beach to relax, head off on a wild boat party, or eat authentic Greek food on a candlelit table. I'm so happy that Paros has been recognised for its beauty and everything it has to offer, but I'll be sad that it will no longer be the quiet gem I discovered. And here is another small Greek island with 70 beaches that experts say you should visit before it gets too popular. Plus, the four Greek islands you can easily hop between in one holiday – for as little as £6.
