2011 – just the name sounds so sci-fi, doesn’t it? Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are raring to go in this new year!
I had a great trip to India – thank you all for wishing me well on this trip. To borrow a phrase from one of my readers (thanks, Sharoon!), I soaked up the glorious medley that is India and came back content in the heart and nourished in the soul.
I couldn’t have wished for more beautiful weather while I was there! India (at least the southern parts of it) has seen an unprecedented amount of rainfall these past few months; the vegetation has probably been blindsided at first by this unseasonal bounty, but then it obviously decided to take advantage. Everywhere I turned, there was lush greenery. Living in the not-so-green section of the U.S, I’d forgotten how vibrant and dazzling the color green could be.
In addition to spending time with family and friends, I also crammed in some sightseeing – both historic and natural — into my already short trip. It made it all pretty hectic, but if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change any of it.
I read this advice somewhere: pack a scented candle or a body lotion that you have never used before, when you’re setting out on a special trip. When you’re back home, all you have to do is whip out the lotion or the candle and voilá, you are transported back to an enchanted time. Of course, as it usually happens, I read these wise words after I came back from my vacation.
So, I’m going to do the next best thing. I have taken quite a few pictures during the trip, but how many times will you look at plain pictures, right? Now, if those photos came with the tales of behind-the-scenes, then that would be something!
I’m going to supply those stories for myself so that all I would have to do to go back in time and place is read those words. Words that would remind me what I heard, how I felt, and what I saw when I was either posing for the picture or snapping them.
I’m going to blog about my trip, on and off, for the next few weeks. My hope is that while chronicling the moments for myself (and my daughter, with whom I happily shared this jaunt, and who helped add new dimensions and perspectives to it), I’d be able to provide some entertainment to you all.
Also, this would be my way of thanking everyone who has had a hand in making this trip such a precious one for me!
Happy New Year, everyone! Here’s to hoping each one of us finds some semblance of peace, something dear to remember the year by, in 2011!
Lovely to have you back! A lot of the photographs remind of Kerala. Is this anywhere near Bekal Fort? We visit Kerala every time we are in India and you are so right about the color green. It is everywhere and it is lush.
Our grandparents still live the old fashioned way surrounded by rubber, coffee, and so many other great spices. Just waking up in the morning to dew drops, chirping birds, and fresh air is an experience by itself.
Thank you, Sharoon! No, all the pictures were taken at one place or another in Andhra Pradesh. Since it’s a close neighbor of Kerala, I’m sure they share some similarities. I have never been to Kerala myself, but would love to someday, based on all the things I hear about it!
happy New year and glad to have you back after your trip to India – actually I am there now :) Looking forward to reading about it!
Thanks, Meera! Hope you’re having a wonderful time in India; can’t wait to see the pictures you’ll paint from the inspirations you gather on this trip! :)
I’ll eagerly wait for your travel journal! ;-) Check my “Love story with… India” and you’ll know why…
Welcome back and happy New Year!
Thank you very much, Barb! I missed that post on your blog. I’ll definitely check it out! :)
Hema,
Welcome Back!!!! Cannot wait to go on this enchanted journey with you!
RK
Thanks, RK! I will try my best to make my narrative enchanting enough ;).
Welcome back Hema!!! The photos are lovely! I can’t wait to hear more about your trip and see more photos…
Happy 2011!
Thank you, Sharon! I look forward to sharing the beauty and history behind all the places I visited with you all…
Beautiful Hema! Just beautiful! Happy New Year!!
Thank you, Machelle! Happy New Year to you and the whole family!
Happy New Year! Beautiful pictures–sounds like it was a wonderful trip!
Welcome Back Hema! Looks like you had a trip to remember. Consider doing a photo blog, so we can see more of those pics.
Beautiful pictures! Look forward to reading more about your trip, Hema.
Amazing photos. I’m very happy that you were able to take this trip and I can’t wait to read about it.
Thanks everyone! Yes, it was a wonderful trip and I can’t wait to tell you all about it :).
Prathibha, you will see more pictures, trust me :).
Ooooh, yes, do tell us about your trip to India! How exciting!
Haven’t been around here much, but I’ve heard your name here and there. Thought I’d stop by and visit. :)
Thanks for taking the time to visit, J.P. Cabit! It always puts a bounce in my step to make a new friend :).
Thanks, glad to stop in! I will be sticking around…
Well, well, well, thank YOU for giving me the opportunity to soak up that greenery. Your photos are spectacular and I can’t wait for the accompanying stories. What a trip that must have been with your daughter by your side! It definitely brings a whole new perspective when you undertake a journey with your little ones.
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Greetings from London.
You’re welcome, Cuban, and thanks for the new year’s wishes!
“I soaked up the glorious medley that is India and came back content in the heart and nourished in the soul.” Beautiful. I had to stop for a minute after reading that in.
I am glad you had a great trip and shared some neat pictures. Happy New Year to you!
Thanks, Heather!
I’m really looking forward to more of your pictures and stories about them. It’s not likely that I’ll ever get to travel to India, so it’ll be nice to see it through your lens :)
Thanks, Madison! About traveling to India, you never know… :-)
Welcome back! I love the photos so far! I’m sure you and your daughter shared many special times.
Thanks Kelly, yes, we had a great time together!
Those are BEAUTIFUL pictures! Lots of book ideas hiding in those few… :)
Thanks! About the book ideas, you bet! ;-)
Welcome back Hema!! Can’t wait to read more about your trip! The euphoric state you were in (probably still in), can be very much felt in the tone of the blog and the pictures!!
Is that Vizag beach in the last picture, looks beautiful??
Thanks, PB! Yes, it is the beach in Vizag. I just liked the vantage point a lot (from the top of a mountain, with treetops in the foreground) and so snapped a few from up there…
Beautiful photos! I’m glad you’ll be posting more of them. I look forward to the pics and the stories.
I’m happy we both had great blog breaks, and I’m happy we’re both back now. :)
Thanks, Dawn! I’m so glad to have the chance to share in your positive attitude again via your blog posts! :)
Welcome back! Looking forward to hearing about your travels~ :)
What gorgeous photos! I’m looking forward to hearing more about your trip!
Thanks, Amanda and Susan!!
So nice to have you back Hema. Please please, do write more about your vacation, so I can soak in the memories of visiting India just like you did:-)
Suma
Haha, this is the bit where I rub my hands together and settle in for a good read! I’m catching up on your recent posts and I want to soak up as much of India as I can. I miss it.
Love the pics!
Jai
Oh great. Another place I have to add to my list of places to go. :)
I’m glad you had a lovely time and am also glad you made it back safely. Happy New Year!