2013- My year in Review

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 Two Countries, 13 Cities, 15 Flights, 5 Trains, 10000 kms, 12000 photos. $4366

2013 has been a fantastic year. Here’s how I spent it:

 Clockwise from Top Left: At Tiger Temple, Kanchanaburi; Coral Island, Pattaya; On the way to Ooty; Looking Dashing at Koh Sak Island

 

On 31st December 2012, I was travelling to Bangalore from my hometown(Vizag) and this was the second time in a row. I spent my New Year’s Eve travelling. You people must be thinking who travels on New Year? but ya I do!! The thought behind this is that if i am in a journey on the first day itself of the New year then I will be travelling the whole year through. At that time, I didn’t have any concrete plans of the tours to follow, but Yea I was sure of one thing – that I will Travel.

 

January

My first trip of the year was to be with my family. It was an unplanned one, my parents flew to Bangalore and this meant we had to go for a sight-seeing. We had planned a road trip for the coming week. It was really exciting as it was the first road trip for us. Mysore is a historical place having temples, palaces, gardens etc. It depicts the lifestyle of one of the famous kings – Tipu Sultan. Being with the family is always special and the time just flew. This trip gave me a lot of Satisfaction(for this was my first trip with Parents after joining my Job), and it was just Awesome.

After a few days I had to go to Kolkata(and Obviously via Vizag) for my friend’s wedding. Spending time with friends, you get back to your mischief. After a week of memorable fun, I was back in Bangalore. Ah!! Now I had to visit Office Occasionally atleast. The company wasn’t paying me for travelling.

My Parents at Tipu’s Gumbaj                                            Giraffe at Mysore Zoo

 

Clockwise from Top: Sangam on the way to Mysore; At Blue o, Bangalore

 

February

This is the month of Pisceans, and more so for me, as my b’day falls in this month. The first fifteen days were just like going to Office, and back home. Then I planned a trip to Pondicherry and Chennai. Visited Arignar Anna Zoo, a must visit place . I was really lost in a sea thoughts by looking at the French Colonies. This trip was short and Sweet, and full of Excitement.

Clockwise from Top Left: At Auroville ; Arignar anna zoological park, Chennai; idly with Chutney at Murugan Idly shop  ; A french house, Pondicherry

                                                                                                 

 

March

The days were going normal with I getting increasing involved in the Office work and out from the blue I thought I shall go to Bangkok. New Year festival in Thailand Sounded Awesome, but who could wait for so long? And thus a date was fixed for the next month and the rest of the march was spent planning the itinerary – the Hotels, the Visiting Points, the must-do’s list, etc. It was really fun to do all that work.

 

April

My(along with my Friends) Journey to Bangkok started with the flight.Our first Foreign trip, and you can understand my feelings. We went straight to Pattaya, and Beaches , babes, clubbing, massaging was set as the order of the day. This was altogether a new experience for all of us.

This time (and luckily for us) was Songkran – a local festival. Missing no opportunity, we hit the roads and we experienced the festive mood everywhere. Then we headed towards Bangkok. The City was awesome. Big buildings, hotels , shopping malls , pubs , tourists- it was amazing. Everything was just like a dream come true. Sukhumvit is a Serene place and it deserves a special mention as we stayed there. Other highlights of the trip were Siam Paragon – A shopping place, which was damn big and unbelievable. The Sky train, which made all the Tourist points accessible was a delight to travel in, and Everything from Street markets to street food, It was an unforgettable and a lifetime experience!!

 

Clockwise from top left: Songkran celebration on Pattaya beach; Bts, awesome way to travel in city; at Sky bar, breath taking view; jet ski, amazing experience

 

May

It was the wettest month of the year at my place(Bangalore), so I decided to enjoy that. This month was just spent taking rest and working, but the planning for upcoming trips were running through my mind. Towards the end of the month I thought to take some exceptional(and historical) trip, and boiled down to go to Hampi (8 hrs from Bangalore) near Town Hospet, and planned it for next month.

 

June

As planned, We took the train and were in Hampi – one of the heritage site in the list of UNESCO. It showcases the life of Vijaynagara empire. From there we crossed the Tungabhadra river and went to Verapurgadde – shanti guest house. The Amazing view of the paddy fields from our hut made us relax and had a soothing effect on the body. Thus this trip turned out to be an adventurous one, and Hampi – one of the best places I had ever visited. The place is a must visit for Amateur Photographers.

Hampi , in Karnataka declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1986, holds great importance according to Hindu mythology, Ramayana.Hampi, belongs to Hospet taluk of Bellary District in South Karnataka. The route to Hampi is via Hospet. It is around 14 kms from Hospet Railway Station.

Shanti Guest House- Tourist visiting Hampi stay here only. Its an awesome place to stay.  Staff are also very much helpful  and food is also great. Its a must visit place.

 

 

Clockwise from top left: Relaxing at shanti guest house; virupaksha temple; Holding the top; At vitthala temple

 

July

It was a long time since we had a road trip. So I took off with my brother to Nandi Hills and we were on our way to a 59 Km Journey on Bike. It was a Weekend, and we returned the same day. This one was a thrilling experience and a must experience for Bangaloreans.

 

Clockwise from top left: Way to nandi hills; Milestone showing distance; posing on honda; view from top hill    

 

August

This month was a dry one for me(Not much Travel L), but a wet one(Courtesy Rain gods) otherwise. I Was mostly working on my website. I was thinking about the next New Year. For Rakhi festival I went home – Visakhapatnam (1000 kms from here). I spent about 15 golden days with my family in peace and Calmness.

Clockwise from top left: Celebrating festival with my sis; with mom at Visakhapatnam beach

 

September

My friend had planned something this time, and it was a religious place – Shirdi. Also we were sick of beaches, museums, sculptures etc. Shirdi, in West India is usually visited by most of the people from nearby areas. Saibaba/sainath- yup u heard it correctly this is the name of the god who was born here and who showed his miracles . This was my first visit to the west of India, and I was really Excited, for I had a childhood dream of having the world famous Vada-Pavs. This Journey was unique in itself that made me understand Indian Culture better.

 

Clockwise from top left: Ahmednagar, way to Shani Shrignapur; Reached kopargaon, shirdi town; Sgs mall, pune; way to darshan , shirdi temple

 

October

October is the time when the festival Season begins, and to start with celebrated Dusshera (worshipping Godess Durga) in Mysore(150 kms from Bangalore).This was again a road trip, and the city was mostly crowded, and the streets that approached Mysore palace was fully lighted and it they seemed like a bride who was ready for marriage.

Mysore Palace is a must – visit during Dusshera as it is fully lighted for all the 7 days of the Navrathri (also it is totally free for Tourists). So altogether it was a trip worth going.

 

clockwise from top left: Mysore palace; baboon at Mysore zoo; gtr, my favourite place ; on chamundi hills

 

November

New year preparation had started and this time for the New year’s eve I had planned for the most lively city in the World – Bangkok. Again?, Ya but this time the plan was something else. Last time we went like tourists but this time it was travelers who would be going to Bangkok. This time the focus was on the local markets and the tourism. I had decided to do a little research on the internet about the local markets of Bangkok , this itself was a fascinating experience. The entire month had gone in research leaving no stone unturned. I also met a lot of people to get more info about new year celebrations in Bangkok.

 

December

Bangalore was getting Cooler by the day and two weeks were left before we would fly to Bangkok. The time was ripe for a short trip to experience the Icy cool weather, and we set-out on a road trip to Ooty – the queen of hill stations. This trip will be etched in my mind because of the road Journey(not many tourists opt for this) and the temperature in Ooty, which had fallen down to nearly 5 degree Celsius. We spent 2 nights there and then we were back in Bangalore.

Clockwise from top left: on the way to ooty; tea garden; ooty lake; konkan railways

 

We were all Very Very Excited for the upcoming trip of Bangkok, and the packing had started days in advance. We reached Bangkok for the second time in a year and there we Celebrated Christmas. The city Never Sleeps, and there are plenty of things to do. This time we also interviewed a few local People and the tourists to understand their view of Thailand. Also this time we celebrated New Year twice- first at Bangkok Airport and second on the flight as per IST. So all together this time also i continue mine practice to travel on 31st Night and i will hope that this will be continued in the coming years.

This trip is undoubtedly the most memorable trip of my Life!!

 

  clockwise from top left: tiger temple, childhood dream- evening walk with tiger;  with python at floating market; my local friend; delicacy of Thailand- fried animals

 

ALL in all, 2013 was thus a great year. I learned a lot of things, made a lot of friends, visited many places, and experienced different cultures.

This Year has been the Best till date, and I m looking Forward to much much more in the coming years.

– Gautam Modi

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