A very happy new year to you guys! 🙂
I know usually the taking stock, the-year-that-was kind of posts are done towards the end of 2017 but oh, well. At least I am happy that the reason this time for delay was not my procrastination. I was traveling & living some of the best days of 2017.
2017 has been one of my happiest years so far & its not like I have made a big progress career wise or anything, just the sense of living on my own made for a happy me.
2017 has also been a year full of travel. If you have read this post here, you know that I am not someone who loves traveling all the time, I like a settled life with travel thrown in for good measure. This year I embraced travel more than I would have ever imagined. Not in terms of quantity because quantity-wise I probably traveled even more in 2016, but I enjoyed traveling better this year.
Here’s a recap of the places I had footprints in (including multiple trips to Delhi, Mumbai from Bangalore):
1. January – Jaipur Literature Festival
I have been to Jaipur countless times, both as a tourist as well as while visiting family & this is a city I wholeheartedly love. Since such a long time, I have wanted to be go visit the Jaipur Literature Festival. This was the year that I did. I have written all about my experience here.
2. February – Goa
Taking my first Goa trip with my grad friends (while usually in Feb everyone from postgrad takes the post-placement Goa trip). To put it mildly, I loved Goa. Also, as you probably might know by now, Goa has something for everyone. And. For as many days as you want. ❤ If you are delaying a Goa trip, do it. Now.
3. March – Mussoorie
Easily one of my favourite trips of the year, because hills & favourite people is what delightful means to me. This was with my postgrad bunch. I really, really cannot wait to go back to Mussoorie which I have extensively talked about here.
4. April – Mumbai, Kota
What was supposed to be a serious trip to Mumbai for my brother’s admission, my brother & I managed to convert into a nice, fun Mumbai hopping session. I was in Mumbai after a long time & it was fun doing all the tourist-y stuff with my brother.
Bandstand, Mumbai
April also saw me in Kota for the very first time & what an AMAZING experience! Thanks to the super authentic Rajasthani wedding of my friend’s brother. In true Rajasthani style, we got way too much of aav-bhagat (warm & cordial hosting of guests) & I would give an arm & a leg to have that dal-bati-choorma lunch again! My bunch also utilised this time to go see the very few tourist spots that Kota has to offer, that’s why I have included it as a city trip. 😀
7 Wonders Park, Kota
5. May – Chennai
Ideally it shouldn’t be called a trip because I was usually confined to the office & hotel, but since I did visit few food places & a really clean, beautiful beach, I have to say I liked Chennai for what it’s worth. The city has good infrastructure & some nice spots, especially for food. Now if only the weather Gods have some mercy! Also, do try Kotthu paratha if you ever see yourself in Chennai.
6. August – Tiptur, Mumbai
My family visited Bangalore on the long weekend & we happened to visit this really tiny Karnataka country side town, Tiptur, on some work pretext. It has basically nothing to do so don’t think I am suggesting you to go here (remember I told it was for some work) but the ride to the place had beautiful greens & coconuts so just enjoy the pictures below.
Another trip to Mumbai which was mostly spent catching up, soaking in copious amounts of Marine Drive & getting my wallet lost quite obviously at Colaba Causeway (that market though ❤ 😀 ).
7. September – Hyderabad
What do I say about this place? Borderline boring at one stance & extremely chaotic the next depending on which part of the city you are in. The day we went to Charminar saw extremely heavy rains & the roads in the Old City got chockfull with water. My friend who usually loves driving more than anything felt like we are all going to die in the car due to asphyxiation when the car stops moving. 😀 On other Hyderabad days, we loved being in super chilled-out, cozy cafes & I highly, highly recommend two of those: The Roastery Coffee House (Banjara Hills) & Truffles (Jubilee Hills, it’s not the same Truffles as in Bangalore).
The Roastery Coffee House, Hyderabad
Golconda Fort, Hyderabad
8. December – Rann of Kutch, Goa again, Mumbai again!
Wanting to visit the white desert or the Rann of Kutch in the colorful state of Gujarat has been on my mind since quite some while. This December, my family made a trip here during the Rann Utsav, the annual white desert festival. I am soon going to do a detailed post on how to plan a trip to Kutch properly because there are some vague & confusing things online but few things also helped me a lot.
The Great White Desert, Rann of Kutch
Mandvi Beach, Kutch
After Kutch, I landed in Goa again & this time I was super excited because I knew now how fun this place can be. It was one of the happiest & most comforting trips I had. Usually, after a trip, I crave routine but this time I am already longing to go back!! Although you will have endless lists for must-do in Goa, please do visit Infantaria in the Baga-Calangute area for some of the best food & all things Goa! 😀
Was so busy in chilling that I have no pictures, so here’s an insta story screen shot!
I spent the last few days of December in Mumbai making memories. 🙂
That’s a travel wrap of 2017. I loved visiting different places in India after a hiatus of almost 2 years, let’s see where 2018 takes me, India & beyond, anyone? The only resolution I should make in terms of travel is to do completely solo trips, business trips shouldn’t count (although I do believe that business trips are great travel opportunities, I agree with all points mentioned here actually). The reason why I don’t get to do solo trips is because trips cost you money, so I would rather spend that money traveling with people whom I miss when they are not with me rather than going solo. But, let’s see. 🙂
Hoping for a happier year for all of us!
Life of Srish 
Really loved this post. You know, even I am similar to you, I don’t fancy travelling all the time but I do value my trips and look forward to them. I have been planning a similar post but I didn’t travel as much as you. We do usually take two trips during the year, so may be. I’m going to remember your recommendation of Goa because we keep going there. In February, did you catch the Carnival? I was there during International Film Festival but I believe Literature and Film Festivals are fun only when you have company. I would really love to read about Kutch Festival.
Have a fabulous 2018 🙂
I look forward to your comments, always. 🙂 I missed the carnival by 2 days, but anyway I was not aware of it back then. Also, try Bomra’s in Goa when you are there, didn’t put it in the post as I couldn’t go there. I have now realized litfests are pretty fun without company too. 😀
Oh thank you so much! That’s so sweet. I’ll make a note of Bomra’s too. I always want to write about my travels but while I’m travelling I don’t take pictures accordingly and therefore, always short of pictures to go with the write-up! The picture you posted of Kutch (sun with white sand), is so similar to my Goa picture. The only difference is yours has white sand, mine has water.
i wanted to do that pretty photography that we always see around on social media! but i need to learn a lot, and then go to kutch again maybe 😀
Oh wow! This is some traveling year 🙂 . I couldn’t say whether I love to travel a lot or a little, because I usually manage only one or at most two trips a year. Last year, my major trip was to Assam and Meghalaya, which was awesome, and one to Chennai, which was relaxing 🙂
Wish you a happy 2018 with all your travel wishes granted 🙂
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