Yep, today is a personal post. I mean, of course, everything I share with you on this travel blog is from my personal experience but this one is different. It’s my birthday blog post! Today, I turn 26 and to commemorate the completion of my quarter life (assuming of course that I live to 100 years), I would like to share with you my 25th year in travel.
Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra – 25th Birthday Celebration with YUVA Staff and Volunteers
Mumbai, Maharashtra – Dubstep Party (my first!) at Blue FrogMumbai, Maharashtra – CouchSurfing with Rajie at Prasanna (they met for the first time here and now, they’re married!)Dona Paula, Goa – Infinity Pool Swim while Soaking in the view of the Arabian Sea with CS host Warren and friendsMumbai, Maharashtra – Crouch. Touch. Pause. Engage! Touring co-volunteer Maeve and Irish friends at the Flora Fountain in Colonial Bombay
July
Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi – Nostalgic return to Delhi (2nd time) after being dispatched in MarchAlibaug Beach, Maharashtra – Beach and foothills weekend with my good pal and co-CSer Sravan and officematesKolad, Maharashtra – braving Class 2 and 3 rapids and river rafting at Kundalika River with CSers (Koyel lived in Makati for two years and got her MBA at AIM!)
August
Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra – Monsoon masti (fun) with CSers Koyel, Hridesh (they’re the small bikers in photo) and Sravan (it’s a 6-hour bike back ride in the rains!)Auroville, Pondicherry – Co-vol and travel buddy Juls and I at Matri Mandir (temple) in a “commune” for the “Divine”Goubert Boulevard, Pondicherry – The clash of waves against the rocks at the Bay of Bengal
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – Devotees, pilgrims and tourists flock the ghats and revel, soak, and observe people by the river Ganges in this Hindu holy cityMumbai, Maharashtra – Me and Ma’amji Leah, my good friend from CS, after exploring the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum) in South BombayDarjeeling, West Bengal – the walking hike to the Japanese Buddhist Temple and Peace Pagoda at 13 degrees was well worth it!Kolkata, West Bengal – Storytelling on Durga and the gods and goddesses with co-vols Jane and Juls during the Duhserra FestivalJagganath Temple, one of the oldest and holiest in India, at Puri, Orissa
November
walked in fron of us with a swag, climbed in a tree and opened a bottle of mango juice on its own – that, my friends, is a monkey at Elephanta, Island, MaharashtraCarved figures at Elephanta Island, an hour off the coast of MumbaiWith Leah, Naren and Katie (visiting) at Chowpatty, MumbaiCelebrating Diwali and wearing my first saree (borrowed) at the Yuva Rural Association office at Nagpur
December
Wrapping Christmas gifts and giveaways in VSO New Delhi office during the International Volunteer Day celebrationHyderabad High Court at Sunset by the Musi River, Andra Pradesh, South IndiaWith my CS Host Bhavesh at Chowmahallah Palace at Hyderabad, Andra Pradesh, South IndiaCelebrating Christmas at Goa, West India (a former Portuguese Colony and said to be among the early Orthodox Syrian Catholics. it’s one of the few places in India where Christmas is celebrated in all its glory)Beach Bumming at Calangute Beach in Goa, at Christmas time!
January
Celebrating New Year in New Delhi with VSO co-volunteers and Filipino friendsQutb Minar with the Grants in Delhi, North IndiaSikh’s Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, Northwest India. It is considered “heaven” for the believers of SikhismIndo-Pakistan Border Ceremony at Wagah Border, PunjabCity Palace and Museum at Jaipur, Rajasthan, Northwest IndiaFull and Preserved Stupa at Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad, Maharashtra
February
The Elephant Lakshmi blessing at Virupaksha Temple in HampiVittala Temple Complex in Hampi. It;s one of the most famous and most photographed temples, especially the full/complete stone chariot in the middleCSing with the Sharmas in Bangalore, Karnataka, South indiaKathakali Demonstration at Kochi, Kerala, South IndiaStreet Mehendi (henna tattoo) at Mumbai streets, sponsored by Maamji. Got this one just before I went home, I think to the horror of my mother as I waved both tattoed hands at the airport. lol
March
Spelunking at Sagada Cave Connection. This was the first CS Manila trip I joined. EVUR.First time Surfing at San Juan in La Union. A lucky sillhouette shot at Magic Hour!
April
Escape to Nagsasa Cove in Zambales. The first out of town trip I organized.Trekking with a cause for Marikina Watershed. The last trip I had before I started working full time again. I wanna do this one more time!
To say that I have traveled a lot in my 25th year is probably an understatement. I’ve spent a lot of time (and money!) trying to explore as much as possible. I believe that traveling taught (and is teaching!) me a lot of life lessons I otherwise would not have learned if I stay put.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people whom I have shared my traveling life with in the past year. I hope that this year, I would again meet new people and share experiences as I embark on new journeys. I thank VSO, my co-volunteers/travel buddies, my CouchSurfing buddies and co-adventurers, my family and friends who encourage (or tolerate!) me and my passion for travel. And to You, whoever or whatever You might be, for always keeping me safe and allowing me to live this life fully.
On my 26th, I know that my wanderlust will not be satiated as easily. And that my feet will be itching more than it used to be. And I know, in my heart of hearts, that no matter how tough it would be, I would always find a way. Life is short so take a leap of faith. Let’s wander, explore and discover. Come and journey with me!
The Diarist Wanders 
you have visited so many places at very young age!!! keep travelling!!
Thank you! Too bad I wasn’t able to go and visit Rishikesh!