2016- Year in Review
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2 Countries, 40,500 Kms Travelled, 23 Flights, 5 Trains, 1 Half Marathons, 1-10kms Run and 4900 USD spent
Hello, everyone!
You must have heard travel does amazing things to people. I am one of those lucky few who has experienced it. Among many things, one is it has made the time fly. One more eventful year has passed by and I just realized it is time for me to write another review. Somehow, what started as a hobby, developed into a habit and now it has become more of a custom for me to write a year-end review of my traveling escapades. So, here it goes…
Jan’16
The year started with a sudden demise of my grandmother. It was not a good start for sure, but then as is said, we cannot avoid two things in life – Death and Taxes. Hence, I had to cancel my Thailand Trip which was scheduled in the last week of January. In fact, I did not travel anywhere in January. But I booked my tickets to Thailand with my brother in law for the month of April’16. The thought of going to Thailand once again was exciting especially to enjoy the amazing festival called Songkran. I went there in 2013 and now it’s 2016.
Feb’16
This was my birthday month. Unlike every year I was really excited. So I decided to spend the week in Bangalore. Finally, for the first time in 2016, I flew from Vizag to Bangalore. It was an amazing week. I met an old friend almost after 5 years one day before my birthday. We had an amazing time.
March’16
Well, it was time for a family trip, which had been planned with the courtesy of the extended weekend. So, thank god for National Holidays!
We had decided upon Hyderabad. I booked an amazing hotel in one of the best locations of the city. The three night trips were quite blissful and it was the best time I spent traveling with my parents. To know more about this trip, click here
April’16
Bang on!! Finally, the time has come. It was Thailand for the third time. My brother in law was damn excited because he was going on a bachelor trip long after getting hitched. I have planned it to be a backpacking trip and have explained all the rules to maximize the fun. When we met at the Airport, we looked at each other and shouted – “Yay! We did it.” Probably he was more excited than me, may be because of the famed sense of freedom you get when you go on such trips without your wives.
We were in Thailand for 5 Nights and it was amazing. For the first, I participated in the amazing festival of Songkran. We enjoyed to our fullest. Click here to know more.
May’16
It was Marathon time. In May 2014, I ran my first 10Kms and been running ever since. This event is very close to my heart- TCS World 10K. I clocked 10kms in 1.00.03 hrs. I really enjoyed running at this event and hope to run every year. Apart from running, I also met great people. They also stayed with us and we had an amazing time. I can say that I got to experience the college life once again. Thanks, Mohit and Munj for staying with us.
June’16
Bang on! It’s Bali. This time I was traveling with new buddies. For them it was first International Trip, so you can imagine the excitement. We boarded the flight on the very first day of June and reached on 2nd June around 1 pm. We were damn tired, but on the other hand excited too. We had lots of fun on this trip. We did Scuba, met so many amazing people, got inspired etc. To know more about this trip Click here
July’16
Travelling has given me wonderful experiences and also passions to pursue. After coming back from Bali, I got inclined towards diving. I don’t know what had happened, but it made me feel really happy. I started learning swimming and within 15 days I learned the art. Though I had to take a break as I shifted to Bangalore again, but I still do a few laps in water as and when I can.
Aug’16
This was the second time in this year when I traveled with my family. This trip was to our ancestral place. I was really excited to see and know about the place where my father was born, where they used to play and many other things like that. It was the best trip with my family till date.
Sept’16
Woo! It’s time to go to Singapore. I was damn excited and worried. Excited because it is the safest countries in the world and worried because it is one of the costliest. I took Scoot Airlines from Chennai. A brand new low-cost airline which is a sister concern of Singapore Airlines. For the first time in Asia, I went into such a big aircraft. It was mind blowing. I was in Singapore for a week’s time and this place really took my sleep away. I really loved the place. The best part was the food among other things. Till date, it’s the best food I have had. To know more about Singapore trip Click here
Oct’16
It was the month full of festivities in India – first Durga Puja and then Diwali. I went to Mahabaleshwar, a small hill station near Mumbai with my cousins. It was great fun. It was three days well spent. After one week, I ran Bengaluru Half Marathon and that was a very proud moment for me. I clocked 21.0975 km in 2.30.00 hrs. After that on Diwali, I went to my home in Vishakhapatnam since my parents insisted me a lot. I paid almost three times for the ticket than what I used to pay. This month turned out to be one of the most expensive months for me full of festivities, fun, and reunion with near and dear ones.
Nov’16
This month was really busy for me. After coming from the home, I got stranded with Statutory Audit where I was working and at the same time was loaded with my travel work. I was sleeping only 5 hours a day. Life was on the verge of becoming hell. But then I decided a trip to Thailand with my parents. After all, that is why I am burning myself out. I started planning the itinerary, bookings etc. And the month ended in these daily struggles of current life for a better life.
Dec’16
Well, December marks the end of the year and my review as well. Though the only excitement it held for me was that my ongoing super hectic project was getting over giving me more time for planning my upcoming vacation with the family. Also, I wish something unplanned yet amazing to happen to celebrate the NYE and make the end special.
Hope you all enjoyed reading my review. I would sign off now since it is almost the onset of the New Year and I have to plan and make more trips, only then could I write better and more eventful review, isn’t it?
Wish you all a Very Happy, Joyous and Eventful New Year!
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