2017 Reflections

Hi guys! I am back. Back from where? Well, 2018 started off with a bang and we went on a 17 days long road trip to Rajasthan, Agra and Delhi with our Canadian friends. But before I talk about this I want to look back at 2017 and all it had to offer.

The year 2017 was a mixed bag. Unlike the last couple of years it wasn’t happiness all the way. 2017 threw a couple of curve balls our way which caused unexpected upheaval and unrest. But it was also filled with so many beautiful moments that 2017 never felt gloomy. Despite the disconsolate events, 2017 still remains one of the best years. Life is this way… good and bad go hand in hand but somehow, in the end, happiness outweighs the anguish.

2017 will always be cherished for the wonderful things. Here are few of my most memorable moments of last year.

Kerala Road Trip

2017 started off on a fantastic note. We went on a 10 day road trip to Kerala with our very good friend Jenny from Canada. This was Jenny’s first trip to India and we thought that the best way to introduce India to her was by taking her to Gods Own Country. As her trip was just for 10 days, we couldn’t cover Kerala in entirety. So we ended up visiting the gorgeous tea plantations of Munnar, the tranquil backwaters of Alleppey, the bustling Kochi and bird watchers paradise Kumarakom. The walk through the paddy fields during the beautiful sunset, driving through the never-ending gorgeous tea plantations of Munnar, floating through the serene backwaters of Alleppey, waking up to the chirping sounds of the birds, boat ride through the peaceful and stunning Kumarakom bird sanctuary, our stay in a tree house, walking through the pristine Kerala beach during the sunset are few memories from that trip that will be etched in our minds forever.

The Crazy Holi

Holi, the festival of colors, has always been one of my favorite festivals. I used to play Holi rigorously while growing up but it’s been years since I have played Holi. So, when Cnu’s friends invited us over for Holi party we were more than glad to join in and man that party turned out to be something!

Coldplay Concert in Bangkok

After our wonderful trip to Thailand in the November of 2016, we were back in Bangkok in April of 2017 as Coldplay was playing in Bangkok on 7th of April. Being an adherent fan of Coldplay there was no way I could let go of this opportunity. We booked the concert tickets and landed in Bangkok. Getting from Hyderabad to Bangkok was the easy part. Going to the concert from our hotel… not so much. It was an ordeal I will remember for rest of my life. The traffic jam, the rain, having no option but to run to the venue, which was still 12 kms away and lastly the scariest bike ride of my life were few of the hurdles we had to endure. By the time we reached, in time, thankfully, our enthusiasm had dampened a bit along with our clothes. But the moment Chris Martin opened his mouth and sang the words ‘Oh, I think I’ve landed’, everything was forgotten and we were mesmerized by his voice and night that was alive with music. By the end of the night we were filled with exuberance and our entire ordeal to reach the venue felt like an adventure.

Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia Trip with MIL

When we headed for Bangkok in April we decided to take my mother in law along. She always dreamed of visiting Singapore and my husband thought it was the best time to make her dream come true. After a couple of days stay in Bangkok and showing her the famous floating market, temples such as Wat Arun and Wat Pho and 3D Art museum, which she absolutely fell in love with, we headed to Singapore, which was our main agenda. Singapore is a breath taking city and all three of us fell in love it. We visited the Sea World Aquarium, Universal Studios (more about it later), Singapore Eye and Gardens by the Bay and the domes inside Gardens by the Bay. Rest of the time was spent shopping and exploring the marvelous city. We were blown away by the city’s balance between technology and nature. After our stay there we went on a very short trip to Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. We visited the Bird Park and the Petronas Towers. Though Malaysia was nice, our experience was soured by the fact that I lost my phone.

Universal Studios Singapore

Visiting Universal Studios in Singapore was a dream come true for the child within me. I have dreamt of visiting Disneyland/Disneyworld since I was 12 and visiting Universal Studios felt like a good start. I loved the entire vibe of the park and loved exploring and meeting few of my favorite characters from the movies. While the Jurassic World and Transformers rides were super fun, The Mummy ride was super scary and the best one. I enjoyed every second at the park and came back to my hotel tired but with big smile plastered on my face.

The Wedding

2017 is also the year where one of my most favorite person got married. Weddings are filled with dramas and hers was filled with loads and loads of it. In the end I am glad that she found her perfect match and wish them both nothing but the best.

Fostering the Pup

Long story short, I found a Pup on road and succeeded in finding her mother the next day. As the pup was tiny we kept an eye on the pup along with other kind-hearted people in the locality. Unfortunately during Diwali, the puppy suffered major burn on her hind leg from firecrackers. We took her to a vet and the doc said that pup couldn’t be left on street until she completely recovers. I and husband along with few others took turns fostering the pup. I had the pup in my home for a week and I fell deeply in love with the munchkin. She was hyper active, brave and kind pup. Thankfully she is now adopted by a loving family.

AR Rahman Concert

In December of last year we ended up going to a concert of yet another favorite musician of ours – AR Rahman. I booked tickets for the concert in Mumbai as we initially thought that we would be in Nepal during the Hyderabad concert. Nepal didn’t work out for me (my husband had to cut his trip short as he twisted his ankle during the Everest basecamp trek), so we decided to do a road trip to Mumbai for the Rahman concert. The night was magical with prodigious music. Javed Ali soared the night with his beautiful rendition of the song Arziyan from Delhi 6. Mohit Chauhan was as rocking as ever with his Rockstar songs. All in all it was a night that left us screaming for more. But my husband tells me Hyderabad concert was better (which he was lucky to attend as his friends invited him).

Offbeat Mumbai Trip

Even though we drove all the way to Mumbai, we decided not to do anything touristy. In fact, we spent our three days in Mumbai exploring the streets of Mumbai, exploring bookshops, eating food at Café’s suggested by friends and shopping on streets of Colaba. We thoroughly enjoyed this very offbeat quick trip to Mumbai but we will definitely go back to the city one day to visit the touristy spots.

Relaxing in Goa

After 4 years of hearing Cnu speak about Goa and endless boys trips he keeps going to, I finally managed to convince him to take me to Goa. As Goa is not that far from Mumbai, we decided to head there before heading home. We stayed at the Little Vagator beach for a day but soon shifted towards the more serene and calmer South Goa. I absolutely loved the pristine Agonda beach. I only wish we hadn’t fallen sick during our stay in Agonda and had energy to explore more of the beach.

Though these moments stand out, the year was also filled with a few firsts such as going to my first stage play and Bharatanatyam dance show. I also forged few new friendships, had many family gatherings, turned 30 and all in all had a good year.

How was your 2017?