We, quite literally, stumbled upon this place after a day of touristy sight-seeing. We had seen the places every tourist saw – the temples, the ruins, etc., and we decided to walk around Hampi. We walked along the river, saw another set of ruins and climbed the hill. On the other side, lay the vast expanse seen here.

Of all the ruins, this was the most natural - devoid of renovations and modern props. The only place in Hampi where I felt the age of the place.

And then, days flew – as it can happen only when you work, work, and work – and then travel whenever you are free! It was the end of 2006 when I got to know quite an illustriuos friend… someone who made me walk around the biggest exhibition in Hyd before inviting me for his travel adventures. And there started our travelling spree – visiting just about every place around hyd!

Half way into the year, it was time to move to a new team, a new product – keeps you busy and learning for a while and, at the same time, makes you miss your buddies! It was a year of changes with friends across floors trying to stay in touch, catching up for lunch… and ended the year on a high note with my best friend’s desk quite close to mine! What a joy!

And then came Hampi-Jog Falls-Hogenakkal – after much preparation, the trip was one of the most memorable! The trek to reach the bottom of the falls, to be surrounded by walls of rock and stand there in the midst of the mist and the rain – is something to be experienced!

As if I had been too happy all along, there came the lull and swept me away! Fell in love and fell out of love too… Don’t wanna make the same mistake again! never ever….

Made new friends, got in touch with old friends and really, really old friends – thanks to social networking! I never thought I would get in touch with my classmates after 14 years of silence! Oh, the joy of getting in touch with old friends! … and the sadness of losing friends… and the mystery of people who are friends one day, not so friendly the next, friends again a few days later… Why do I even put up with them? I don’t know!!

Got a lot more online presence! A few blogs and, finally, a website! Though, not completely functional yet

All of this interspersed with visits to good ‘ole Chennai … the beach, Spencers, City Center, Coffee Day at Anna nagar… meeting friends, shopping till I dropped (quite literally!), fainting at a bus stop and getting hurt as if I fell from a bike!….

It’s been a year of brands, electronics, and going online big time – right from purchases to payments – all without a credit card … a year of delayed train arrivals, some crazy travelling, sleeping in a car, watching the sun rise over a dam… and some photography along the way!

Just as every other year, it was full of surprises that made me happy, and disappointments that drained me away! But then, the year ends on a happy note and let’s me look forward to the next year – I’ve travelled far and wanna travel more… I’ve taken risks and will take more… I’ve learnt and will learn more…Wonder what 2008 holds for me!