A Season Of Mists

Going on a road trip in the monsoon is not without risk, but it offers incredible rewards that make it worthwhile. Misty stretches, miles of green, gushing waterfalls, and rivers in spate; if you want adventure, that’s what you will get. In our special monsoon issue, we got motoring expert Rishad Saam Mehta to create a handbook of doable driving holidays you can attempt this season. There are plenty of tips to make your ride easier and safer, but always err on the side of caution

When I was growing up in the hills, the monsoon was a time of musty smells, damp school uniforms, wet shoes, and walks around a town suddenly devoid of tourists. A perpetual, moist fog would hang low in the mountains, insinuating itself into spaces and rolling into rooms with utter disregard for occasion or authority.

Bijoya Sawian’s nostalgic piece on Meghalaya’s (often macabre) rainy day stories brought back memories of wet days heavy with ennui broken only by conversation and endless cups of chai.

What happens when a monsoon falls short of expectations? Acclaimed writer Anita Nair returns to her native Kerala village for the torrents of rain it is known for and finds pregnant pauses instead.

However, Mumbai and the rains do not disappoint photographer Sunhil Sippy, whose rain-drenched monochrome captures of Maximum City are pure poetry.

As always, we have packed this issue with stories from India and abroad that will fill your soul with wanderlust. However, what we are most excited about this month, is our stylish new redesign and brand-new logo. Executive Creative Director Anjan Das, who helmed this project, shares his vision behind the design overhaul:

“In this realm of print design, where visual communication is at the forefront, simplicity is often a powerful and effective approach. We have embraced simplicity to create a compelling and memorable design that will convey our stories with clarity and elegance. This redesign rests on simplicity, readability, modernity, versatility, timelessness and global appeal.”

We hope you enjoy this new look and feel of your favourite Outlook Traveller as much as we enjoyed creating it!