It is that time of the year when most of us introspect and relook at what the year has been like. Pretty much like most of you, I traveled back in time to realize that this year has literally been as they say “from Kashmir to Kanyakumari”. I also, noted that I nursed my itchy feet almost every month, except for November. I did use the month for something useful, which I shall not disclose right now but itchy feet are itchy feet. And I had this really bad bout this month that I cured with my last travel of 2017. With the hope that this cure and trend continues for me, let me take you through my best travel moments with this Travel Flashback 2017.
Contents
- 1 Travel Flashback – January 2017
- 2 Travel Flashback – February 2017
- 3 Travel Flashback – March 2017
- 4 Travel Flashback – April 2017
- 5 Travel Flashback – May 2017
- 6 Travel Flashback – June 2017
- 7 Travel Flashback – July 2017
- 8 Travel Flashback – August 2017
- 9 Travel Flashback – September 2017
- 10 Travel Flashback – October 2017
- 11 Travel Flashback – November 2017
- 12 Travel Flashback – December 2017
- 13 Presenting my beloved Travel Companion
Travel Flashback – January 2017
The year started with a memorable interview of one of the heroes of Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh. Bajrang the tiger, shared his stories about his home and neighbors – some of them quite Pesky. This is one trip that I will hold dear to me for the company of my fellow travel blogger – Divyakshi Gupta (Divsi as I call her). She has this innate sense of animal spotting and quite predict who we are going to see and when. A skill that was tested in the forests of Chitwan later in the year.
Travel Flashback – February 2017
February was all about fulfilling a cherished dream of traveling in a Golden Chariot – except that this one was better than the traditional chariot. A luxury train travel through South India literally took me to Kanyakumari through Chennai, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Tanjore, Trichy, Madurai, Kovalam, Alleppey, Kochi and back to Bangalore. A journey that gave me so many experiences that I am still to write about. The journey will remain special to me for that once in a lifetime experience that was further enhanced with the company of bloggers – Abhinav, Swati, Deepti, and Medhavi. The journey gave me the opportunity of traveling with them in person after the multiple virtual interactions that I had over the last few years.
Travel Flashback – March 2017
March was all about bikes, cars and glamour ;-). It started with a trip to Delhi for the launch of Tata Tigor. While I got behind the wheels, I also, sneaked out for some time to visit the famous Qutub Minar in the company of my blogger friends – Vyjay, Shrinidhi, Indrani and Divsi. I think we really got high on glamour with our memorable photo session post the launch party – something that we all will always remember.
The latter half of the month had me deciphering clues in a treasure hunt organized by Goa tourism on a gearless bike – Honda Navi. Over two days, we rushed through the lanes of Goa to discover and rediscover the various gems that this state had to offer. The Goa Hunt that had us do yoga on the beach, discover the unique churches, speak to the tourists and locals and literally brew a cocktail. Side effects: I was baked brown – something that I discovered I do not really like!
Travel Flashback – April 2017
My Birthday Month was a treat as I made my first travel to the unexplored gem of India – the North East. Meghalaya with my family was an absolute pleasure as I discovered the cleanest village in Asia at Mawlynnong, walked across a natural wonder – the living root bridges, squeezed through the caves of Arwah and Mawsmai and went waterfall hopping across Shillong and Sohra.
Ask my daughter, she will always rate the caves as her best experience. My hubby – the time at Mawlynnong. Ask me – both these would possibly fight with the fairy tale river – Dawki. A memorable trip that became perfect, thanks to my friend – Rajiv Verma, who helped me with all the accommodations and travel arrangements for this trip. All credit to him that I don’t have that one picture that we clicked together when we visited. Grrr.
Travel Flashback – May 2017
An epic road trip took me to another country from Delhi. The Indo- Nepal Road trip along with ScoutMyTrip helped me earn a new nickname – Indiana Jones owing to my adventures at Bara Imambara and The Residency in Lucknow. I further acted my role as I initiated an unplanned detour to Faizabad before we reached Gorakhpur. I had the team convinced that I was none other than Indiana when I roamed the lanes of Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares in Kathmandu before I went ga-ga at the Agra Fort and Taj on my return back to India. Truly an epic trip where we started as strangers but eventually, became friends for life.
Right in front – Captain Deepak, 2nd row (L to R) Ayushi, me & Capt. Vineet
3rd Row (L to R) – Ankit, Saumya, Sudipto
4th row: Magic Eyed Deepak
Travel Flashback – June 2017
June was a little muted but not completely as I made that trip to visit my parents. My family, especially my brother knew the case of itchy feet and before I could say anything arranged for a quick day trip to Mapro Farms in Panchgani. This is where I re-visited my college days with a return to the famous tableland and a few other sites of Mahabaleshwar. All on Instagram and a series I promise to finish soon on the blog.
Travel Flashback – July 2017
A place from my bucket list not completely ticked off – consider it a light tick for I hope to return here again. Ladakh – that captivated my soul. Another road trip by ScoutMyTrip that got me along with 14 other bloggers into India’s book of records. However, more than the accolade, it was the journey that I hold dear for the unbelievable beauty of India’s paradise. This is where from Kanyakumari, I reached Kashmir as I traversed through Sonamarg and then to Kargil, Leh, Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri, Keylong, Manali and back. 14 days in the company of bloggers – some who I befriended for the first time and some who I deepened bonds with following my Golden Chariot Journey. Special mention to my Scout – Samarth and my crazy car companions – Abhinav, Swati and Raza for some crazy moments of fun.
Travel Flashback – August 2017
2 road trips -back to back took me to Wayanad and beyond. The first was a personal trip with my family and friends that got me to secret beaches in Kannur. A weekend well spent with some memorable moments with my besties without any pressure of social media.
The first journey let me experience monsoons in a car drive as we drove through the forests of Wayanad but it was the 2nd journey to Wayanad on a bike that helped me soak in the rains. Wayanad on wheels with ScoutMyTrip, OnnBikes and WanderTrails allowed me to discover the delights of those misty monsoon airs complete with gushing waterfalls and colorful flora and fauna. If you haven’t seen it as yet, click on here to do so. Adding to the fun was the company of Shrinidhi – who got introduced to my constant travel companion – Choksi.
Travel Flashback – September 2017
The one thing about Nepal trip in May 2017 that I kept regretting was that I did not have time enough to visit the third Durbar Square and also, the other parts of Nepal. I think someone heard that for before I knew it, I was back in Kathmandu experiencing the annual Indra Jatra where I met the last Kumari – the living Goddess of Nepal before she retired. Thrilled to be back in the company of my blogger friends – Abhinav, Swati and Divsi, I also, managed to explore Pokhara, Chitwan and Nagarkot.
Adding to the company were Ragini and Dipanshu, of whom the latter was used to the madness displayed by the rest of us. The highlight of this trip for me was discovering Bandipur while I think for the rest of them except Divsi and me, was on how her prediction of spotting a mommy and baby Rhino came true at Chitwan.
Travel Flashback – October 2017
Come October, it was time to board a new flight – Malindo Air that whisked me to the gorgeous state of Penang in Malaysia. From the cute street art to heritage Chinese mansions and a bird’s eye view from the 68th floor, Penang gave me a good dose of heritage, culture and adrenaline. This was my first time with Jo and Snigdha who I knew from online. The latter was also, owing to her other half who traveled with me on the Indo Nepal trip. My favorite – oscillates between The Chew Jetty and the Street Art.
Travel Flashback – November 2017
I cannot imagine having just sat there doing anything. So, I used this break from travel to do something that I had been meaning to do since 2016. Clue – Andamans islands. More clues are hidden in my Reflections of 2016. Finale – hopefully soon I shall reveal. 🙂 Till then, just stay tuned.
Travel Flashback – December 2017
The year has to end with another journey that I have just done. A holiday with my family where I donned the hat of Indiana Jones again. Badami caves was another of my travel lists that I managed to tick off. The place was definitely a befitting close to my year with its stunning sculptures and legends behind those. I hope you have been tuned to the updates that I have been sharing online on my social channels. Blog post on this will be up soon!
Presenting my beloved Travel Companion
This Travel Flashback cannot be complete without a spotlight on my favorite and eternal travel companion. Named and Owned by Deepak, Choksi – the minion decided to settle in with me in Bengaluru, but only after I promised him a journey with me every time. Inflicted with a travel bug like me, Choksi knows that I will always stay true to my promise for only one that suffers from that affliction knows how the other feels. ;-). Poor guy, has to face the jealous overtures of many – my daughter and Abhinav included!
All in all – 2017 was definitely a satisfying year. I loved every moment – not just for the travel destinations and experiences but for the fact that it helped me forge a lot of bonds with people. How have your travels been the last year? Of my list – which is your favorite virtual travel with me? Go on and comment in – just for some good spirits and cheer. Here is to a lovely 2017 and an even better 2018 with you all. Happy New Year!
Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.
I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.
That was a great year- nice meeting you twice and thanks for featuring my photo… Best wishes for 2018
It sure was and I hope to meet you more often this year. Happy new year!!
Great, explained in deep. however, the photographs are nice. good work.
Thanks Vipin
What a fantastic year you have had! I wish you an even better 2018 🙂
And yes… I will send the photos… Eeeeeee!
Waiting Rajiv… He he. Thanks for your wishes and I hope the same for you too.
Look like a great year Ami 🙂 Wish you many more such years of travelling and I can’t wait to meet you all in person 🙂 Cheers!
Thank you and yes, let’s hope that 2018 makes us meet
Looks like a great year Ami! Wishes to even better it in 2018!!
Thank you and wish you the same too.
Awesome posts. Best wishes for 2018.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year.
Thank you Rupam and a happy new year to you too!
What a fab year you had Ami! May you travel far & wide in the coming year too.
Have a wonderful year ahead and wish you a Happy New Year.
Thank you Nisha and I wish the same to you too. Hope to catch you in person this year on one of the travels 🙂
That is a great recap, memorable year! Thanks so much for the mention.
Wish you a very happy new year!
Thanks Indrani. The event would not have been more fun if you were not around. Hope to catch you in person this year. 🙂 Happy new year to you too.
thats great recap.Have a wonderful year ahead in 2018
Thank you Mayuri and I hope you have a great year too.
You had a superb trip in your 2017. Hope you will improve the situation this year 2018 than before.
All the best ! Happy New Year. Join with me if you visit to Tamil Nadu 🙂
Thanks
Thank you Karthik and I hope you have a good year too !
Awesome Clicks Ami. You indeed have had an awesome and fulfilling travel year. And if I had to pick my fav, has to be the one on nepal !!! Have yet another great year ahead!!!
Thanks Ramya. Nepal was special – both the times. Hope you have a great year too! Cheers and keep visiting
You are having a great collection of memories with you and me too wants to have some like this the way you have. Thanks for motivating me and sharing your experience with us. Glad to visit on this blog.
Thank you so much.
After reading this post I realize that this year started really quick for me. Days were passing by and somehow they were about to spoil this wonderful 2017 because I did not stop awhile to remember all the bad and good things happened. Thanks and, well, it is hard to answer to your last question, but probably I would choose virtual travel to Indra Jatra
Thanks Gabriele. The Indra Jatra was indeed a special travel. Hope you have an even better 2018 with more travels and fun. Cheers
Wow, what a fun 2017 travel-wise! I would love to do the Goa hunt! We rented a scooter for a week while in Goa but it would have been fun doing the activities tourist board organized! Ladakh trip with fellow bloggers seems very fun too! I have been hiking at the Chitwan NP in 2014 and it took us about 6 hours of walkbefore we saw one. All worth the walk!
It sure was and it did leave me with memories for life. Thanks for your lovely comment Dada and I hope you have a good 2018. Cheers
You put in a lot of hard work in your blog and it shows. You have had an amazing year. I was lucky to be able to travel with you thrice this year. The Ladakh Trip was the best one we did together. We had so much fun we almost forgot that we were on an assignment. Hope to travel again with you in 2018
Totally forgot about the assignment. Ladakh was just epic and I hope that we get to do a similar one this year again! Cheers
Happy new year Ami, and here’s wishing you another travel-filled 2018. Your blogs always inspire me to go to India, especially after seeing your photos. I’d like to see the Ladakh landscape, and this river too. Just exquisite!
Thank you Lisa and ditto for me too on your blog. Hope you too, have a fantastic year .
It looks like you had a packed year of travel in 2017. That Indo-Nepal road trip was a fun one. I enjoyed reading your blog about that experience. Wish you more travel in 2018!
.Thanks Abigail. That road trip was fun indeed. Cheers to you too for 2018
Wow.. It’s impressive that 2017 brought you so much of travel. And it’s good to know you have so many blogger friends who share the same interests as you do. I have planned a trip to Meghalaya this Feb and will reach out to you separately for some tips. Wish you good luck for your trips in 2018.
Thank you. On Meghalaya, I have already shared several posts. do have a look at them and let me know if you need any more info. Cheers
Wow! You’ve had an incredible 2017! India looks amazing. I’d love to see wild tigers. And Nepal looks incredible. Experiencing Indra Jatra must be exciting.
Thank you Fairuz. 2017 has been kind. Nepal was fascinating as was Kanha. Hoping to meet more of tigers this year. Cheers
Thanks Fairuz. Nepal and Kanha were indeed amazing. Hoping to see more wild tigers this year 😀 Cheers
What a year you’ve got! Umngot River is something that caught our attention! Would love to see that one! Your trip to Pangong Lake and the surroundings looks amazing too! Can’t believe the beauty of these places we’ve never heard of before, amazing photos!
Thanks guys, the Dawki river was indeed my favorite as was the entire Ladakh trip. You must visit these offbeat places of India
That was one action-packed year, wasn’t it? Do you plan out your trips in advance or do you just go with the flow? I have been trying to plan out some destinations for 2018, but am also leaving some room for spontaneity. A balance of both should be good.
I do both – the family trips are planned while the others are as it comes along. Hoping that things go as well this year. Cheers to you too for a new year
Wow, you certainly got around all over India, and beyond! I loved seeing your photos. I admittedly don’t know too much about India, having never visited, but there’s such a variety of places to visit and scenery. I love that you got to see rhinos and tigers in the wild – a dream of mine! Here’s to 2018!
Cheers to 2018 and I hope it gets you to diverse India
I loved how you took so many road trips as did I this year! It’s one of the best ways to see a new city or country in an entirely different light! Seems like you hit every edge of India which calls for celebration to an amazing year! Cheers!
Thank you. Road Trips are my favorite and am glad 2017 allowed me these. Thanks for stopping by and cheers to a new year to you too
Such a lovely post Ami…made me so jealous of all your adventures in 2017! Each month was full of something new and you clearly made the most of it. It’s awesome that you could also find time to travel with your family 🙂
Family travel is sacrosanct. I have always done that and will continue to. Best way to bond. Thanks for the lovely comment Sid and a happy 2018 to you too
Wonderful recap! I especially love the photo of Dawki – it looks so beautiful. I hadn’t heard of it before but I really love your capture. I hope you have many more beautiful adventures in 2018
And I wish you the same Christie. I hope you can visit India and Dawki that you loved!
You sure had a fabulous year. I loved reading the highlight and flashback of every month except November. I am curious as to what were you upto in that month. Ha ha, it was good to know about Choksi. We know each other virtually. I am sure we will get to meet in 2018.
Amen to that, Manjulika. Hope to meet you in person this year. As for November, curtains shall be raised soon 😀
I am sure you had a great year. I also started with a target to travel every month but eventually ended up with a couple of travel-free months. But I think sometimes it is necessary to take a break. Hope you explore even more in 2018.
Thank you and I hope you too have a travelful year this 2018. My itchy feet needs a constant outing and last year was really therapeutic for me in that sense 😀
You definitely saw some really beautiful moments in 2017. Badami Caves and seeing the rhinos would be my very favorite experiences to try in 2018! I can’t wait to see what adventures this year brings you.
Thanks Paige. 2017 was kind and I hope that my luck continues. More travels to us this year. Cheers
Ami, you are an incredible photographer, I am impressed! By the way, I have never heard of the Golden Chariot but that purple train looks so cool, love that colour. I haven’t heard of Badami Caves either but they look pretty awesome so I’m going to add it to the list of places I must explore in India (hopefully soon).
Thank you Medha for the lovely compliment. Golden Chariot is one experience of a lifetime. You should check out my post on it to see how luxurious the train is. Badami caves was a lovely discovery that I made this year. Hope you can do both these soon.
Wow! You have made some great trips last year! I learned about the living goddess in Nepal before and would love to hear your encounter with her! It is a cultural experience I’d love to have in my life!
Thanks Cat. Just head over to my detailed post on Kumari. I bet you will love what you learn.
It seems like you had an awesome year, Ami! I hope that 2018 will be even better and more productive! 😉
Thank you and I wish you the same too.
Awesome photography.
Thank you
you had awesome travels in 2017 and your photos are stunning! While everybody wrote about their travel flashbacks, I just read them since I didn’t make mine but I enjoyed reading travel stories and cool photographies like yours! I most like your Nepal trip, what an interesting journey you had there. Nepal has always been my sweetest spot!
Thank you Cathy. That is a lovely comment and totally makes my day. Cheers to a new year!
What a great year! I love the tiger viewing, that takes me back to some wonderful tiger viewing I have also enjoyed in Indian parks. Also loving that photo of the boats in Dawki, the lion at Keshav Narayan Chowk, jumping in the sunset with your friends and family, and the rhino viewing in Nepal (we saw similar in Kaziranga).
Thank you Kavita. Hoping for a great year this time too. Cheers
Amazingly beautiful.These flashback are so awesome that everyone would want to have in a life time I guess.
Thank you.
Awesome post!! The photos are stunning. Thanks for sharing the experience.
Glad you liked it. Thanks for stopping by