Travel plans for the rest of 2016

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve been AWOL on the blog again. (Please tell me somebody noticed.) I’ll skip the apologies and self-deprecation and move right on to some big (for me) news: I quit my job. Quit is such a negative word, no? Let’s say, I bid adieu to it.

In case you’re wondering, no this is not one of those “I quit my job to travel the world” situations. But yes, new and exciting things await, and travel is definitely a part, if not the only part, of it.

With just two months to the year, I’ve decided to reveal my modest yet exciting travel plans for the rest of 2016 to you guys. I use the word reveal because I’m kinda sorta, for lack of a better word, superstitious about mentioning my travel plans before they actually happen. The reason I don’t talk about it beforehand is because, as with almost everything in my life, things never go as planned. And I feel like dealing with the resulting disappointment is easier if I have fewer people to explain it to. Am I making any sense?

Anyway, I’m learning to embrace this “things don’t always go as planned” (the blog being one such way of doing so) but I also think I ought to be more positive and trust in the whole “if not this, something else”.  So here I am, putting my plans out into the universe and just hoping for the best.

Now, without further ado, here are the places I’ll be visiting over the next couple of months:

Coimbatore, Oct 29-Nov 1

Even though we’re well past the dates, I wanted to include this trip in the list.

October 29 to 31 was Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights) here in India, meaning the working folk had an extended weekend to enjoy. But it being festive season also meant travelling anywhere was on the expensive side. So when travel buddy asked me to make a trip to her home town of Coimbatore, I thought, why not? Especially since, we were travelling in a private vehicle, as opposed to taking the bus like usually. Also, travel buddy promised we would make a day trip to Coonoor, a hill station in Tamil Nadu – a first for me.

This is my second time visiting Coimbatore, the last time being during Christmas. (Festive tradition?) And a trip to this little city means lots of good, traditional home-cooked food and pampering from her family.

Read about the the ride to Coimbatore and our day trip to Coonoor.

Yercaud, Nov 15-19

Another hill station in Tamil Nadu, Yercaud has been on my ‘quick trips from Bangalore bucket list’ for a while now. It’s located on the Eastern Ghats and has so many picturesque spots, it seems like a great option for a short getaway from the city.

It’s been a while since my father and I made a trip together. So I’ll be visiting Yercaud with him. We’ll be driving down in our car and staying at the Club Mahindra property there. I’m looking forward to beautiful views of the Eastern Ghats and cooler temperatures and long walks through parks and along the Yercaud Lake, so hopefully I’ll have all that to tell you about soon.

Indore & Udaipur, Dec 17-26

Yet another best friend of mine is getting married. They’re dropping like flies, I tell you (in a good way, of course). Anyway, this wedding is a week long affair that begins in her home town of Indore, which I hear is a foodie’s paradise. I’m going two days in advance so I get a chance to explore the city before I’m trapped (in a good way, of course) in the wedding shenanigans.

The main wedding will be a destination one, in the city of Udaipur. Rajasthan has forever been on my bucket list. In fact, my initial plan for December this year was a complete tour of the state. But then came the good news and well, best friend duties call. Still, this destination wedding is a chance to visit two amazing cities. I’ve extended my stay in Udaipur by an extra day and that’s where I’ll be spending Christmas this year!

Nanded & Pune, Dec 28-Jan 4

I wasn’t kidding when I said “they’re dropping like flies” because in the little town of Nanded, Maharashtra, is another wedding I have to attend.

I lived in a hostel while studying in Bombay and it was one of my most life changing experiences. I’m happy to say that I’m still in touch with the few friends I made there, and one of them is all set to get married on New Year’s Eve!

There are several ways to get to Nanded, including a direct train from Bangalore. But I’ll be flying to Pune, where my ex-roommate from the hostel lives and we’ll be catching an overnight train to Nanded together. I’ve never been to Nanded or Pune. Once I’m back from Nanded, I’m staying three extra days in Pune to see the city inside-out.

It’s been forever since I’ve been on the Indian railways, so I’m super stoked about that too. In fact, on 31st night, I’ll be on the train back to Pune. I’ve never celebrated the New Year like that before!

They say, what you do on the first day of the year you’ll do all year long. If being on a train on New Year’s Day means I’ll be travelling all year long, this is a superstition I’ll gladly believe in.

---

What are your travel plans for the last two months of the year? Is travel a part of your Christmas and New Year celebrations? I’d love to know in the comments section.