Photo Diary 2016

Since 2017 began, I have been reading a lot of “2016 in Review” and “Top Instagram posts of 2016” posts but never got around to writing any similar post myself. But 2016 for me was too eventful to not reminisce and not trace my footprints. 2016 was the year when I traveled back in time, not only to India’s glorious past but also my childhood. 2016 was that year when I finally decided to give up my stable job, wait – Not to Travel – but to study. I left my country and my home for the first time ever and started living in an alien land with people I had never met! Big change, yes; but travel still remained a constant. 2016 also taught me how to be a tourist in your own city and explore it as much as you can! So here it is – My 2016 in pictures (more like Instagram Diary), a bit late but well, it is still January 2017.

When history basks In the light of time Sometimes we see Some wonders unseen #travel #traveldiaries #travelgram #travelpics #history #architecture #archilovers #mosque #golconda #fort #hyderabad #andhrapradesh #telangana #travelrealindia #_soi #storiesofindia #india #picoftheday #wanderlust #wanderlustwednesday #vagabond #iwalkedthisstreet #indiaclicks #indiapictures #igres #igramming_india

A photo posted by vaisakhi (@vaisakhi) on Mar 16, 2016 at 4:05am PDT

January and February

While I spent January 2016 studying, interviewing and working, my travel diaries kicked off in February when I got a chance to explore the Nawabi town of Hyderabad. I had visited Hyderabad for just a weekend for an official sports tournament but I sure managed some hours off court to soak in the glory of Golconda and Hyderabadi Cuisine.

March

March took me to another historical state of India – Madhya Pradesh. To see the dying grandeur of Holkars and the silent ruins of Malwa was a magical experience even under the scorching 40 deg. Celsius sun.

When most old buildings in South Bombay still cling to their old subtle brown tinge some have surely moved on with time. And the best way to experience this transition is to roam around aimlessly and observe. I love town side, period! #Mumbai #Travel #travelgram #Travelpics #india #wanderlust #wanderlustwednesday #vagabond #indiaclicks #indiapictures #history #architecture #archilovers #_soi #storiesofindia #iwanderwhy #fromwhereistand #lonelyplanetindia #natgeotravel #indianphotography #tv_living #igramming_india #_soimumbai #ig_mumbai #mypixeldiary #trelltalemumbai

A photo posted by vaisakhi (@vaisakhi) on Jun 7, 2016 at 11:12pm PDT

April and May

April was the most sluggish month of the year I think, mostly because my skirmishes with sun got worse with advent of summer. Oh yes I hate the sun! But the sun couldn’t hold me back for long and in May I decided to explore Mumbai despite the heat.

June

Exploring Mumbai made me think of all the places I had ever lived in and how I had not explored much of my ‘hometowns’ and so I set off on a journey to discover my homeland – Odisha! June was all about going back to roots for me and it was a bitter sweet month because the fact that I was going to leave my country soon was finally dawning on me.

Rising tall, a faith hall! The Global #Pagoda in #Mumbai #Travel #travelgram #Travelpics #india #wanderlust #_coi #vagabond #indiaclicks #indiapictures #architecture #archilovers #_soi #storiesofindia #buddha #sky #fromwhereistand #lonelyplanetindia #indianphotography #_soimumbai #igramming_india #igres #incredibleindia #india_ig #mypixeldiary #solitarypixels #photooftheday #aamchimumbai #ig_asia

A photo posted by vaisakhi (@vaisakhi) on Jul 24, 2016 at 9:57pm PDT

July

Mumbai is the prettiest and most inviting during monsoons and I knew it, but never got the reason why. So July was all about exploring Mumbai like never before – and that is exactly what I did. I was finally a tourist in the city where I had spent half of my life and still the place managed to amaze me in so many ways!

There is a thing about wilderness If you set out to explore a part of it It shows you more and surprises you pleasantly #Travel #travelgram #Travelpics #india #wanderlust #wanderlustwednesday #vagabond #indiaclicks #indiapictures #nature #_soi #wilderness #vsco #fromwhereistand #lonelyplanetindia #indianphotography #igramming_india #igres #picoftheday #india_ig #_coi #mypixeldiary #_soiMumbai #patterns #ihavethisthingwithfloors #forest #forestfloor #photoofday #photooftheday

A photo posted by vaisakhi (@vaisakhi) on Aug 16, 2016 at 10:27pm PDT

August

August came and I fell in love with Mumbai even more. Does it surprise you how much we underestimate the places we actually live in and how much we miss out because of that? I spent three months last year exploring so many corners of Mumbai – Historical structures, cultural places, local gems, restaurants, beaches and what not and I still feel like I haven’t seen half the city. Anyhow, guess Mumbai has its own plan to make me come back to it soon enough.

Adalaj ni Vav! Finally 😍 #Travel #travelgram #Travelpics #india #wanderlust #wanderlustwednesday #vagabond #indiaclicks #indiapictures #history #architecture #archilovers #_soi #storiesofindia #travelrealindia #fromwhereistand #lpmi #indianphotography #igramming_india #igres #passionpassport #india_ig #_coi #mypixeldiary #picoftheday #photoofday #photooftheday #gujarat #stepwell #gujarattourism

A photo posted by vaisakhi (@vaisakhi) on Sep 6, 2016 at 10:26pm PDT

September

September was about visiting the past, reminiscing a phase and setting out on a new journey for me. I spent ten years of my life in Gujarat and before leaving India I decided to go on a family trip to Ahmedabad. A state, a city, a historical place that never ceased to amaze me gave some quality time to finally accept what was to come next.

That place finally after months of looking it up on net - The #harrypotter room at Suzzalo library #udub #Travel #travelgram #Travelpics #india #wanderlust #wanderlustwednesday #vagabond #architecture #archilovers #seattle #passionpassport #fromwhereistand #lpmi #usa #ig_usa #igres #library #arches #mypixeldiary #picoftheday #photoofday #photooftheday #symmetricalmonsters #symmetry #ceiling

A photo posted by vaisakhi (@vaisakhi) on Sep 15, 2016 at 11:20pm PDT

October

New place, new city in a new country in a new continent and a future so different waited for me here in Seattle – my new home for at least two years now. I was back in school, but grad life felt so different and exciting at the same time!

I did miss home terribly during my first ever Durga Puja away from home (October was tough) but soon I started exploring this beautiful city and Nature made sure I fell in love with the place.

Into the wild Embrace the cold Because beware Winter is coming! #Travel #travelgram #Travelpics #wanderlust #coloursofnature #winter #nature #fromwhereistand #tv_nature #seattle #usa #igres #mypixeldiary #picoftheday #photoofday #photooftheday #fall #naturephotography #mobilephotography #flowerschannel #autumn🍁 #autumn #landscape #bestnatureshot #tree_magic #passionpassport #trees #canopywalk #IP_World #streetphotography

A photo posted by vaisakhi (@vaisakhi) on Nov 13, 2016 at 7:40pm PST

November
November was more about Seattle, more about being a tourist in my new home, more about exploring the famous touristy places of the city. But I was determined to end the year with a bang and so I did!

I see fire inside the mountain I see fire burning the trees *At zero degrees* #Sunrise at Mather's point #grandcanyon #Travel #travelgram #Travelpics #wanderlust #coloursofnature #nature #fromwhereistand #tv_nature #usa #igres #mypixeldiary #picoftheday #photoofday #photooftheday #naturephotography #tree_magic #passionpassport #bestnatureshots #visitarizona #arizona #mountains #snow #winter #snowymountains #igexplore #huffingtonpost

A photo posted by vaisakhi (@vaisakhi) on Dec 23, 2016 at 9:31pm PST

December

Epic road trip, Canyons, Snow and Sun and of course ticking off some states of the US. Some of my amazing friend made sure I got some green ticks on my wish list and gave a fitting end to a crazy but amazing 2016! Read about it HERE.