Another year coming to an end. 2022 was an amazing year full of exploring new places, trying new recipes, meeting new people, spending time with friends and family. Here is 2022 – Year in Review.
MUNICH and FRANKFURT, GERMANY
I had a very eventful March month this year. I travelled to Munich and Frankfurt for a week which was a work trip. One of my favourite cities Munich was as always so charming. I clicked once again lots of pictures. I came back to the UK not only with lovely clicks but also Covid. It was the time when the covid cases were swelling in Germany. Thanks to the vaccines, it was mild and I recovered fast.
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND
On a crisp and cold April day; this was not my first visit to the beautiful University city of Cambridge. But it’s worth mentioning this year as I had a guided tour through the eyes of my boyfriend who is al alumnus of Cambridge University. One does not get a chance to have such a tour; we walked thru all those hidden streets, the shops, the pubs which is beyond the obvious. And yes i learnt about lots of pranks and fun he had as a student at Cambridge. It’s always very pleasant to visit Cambridge, it’s such a classy alluring city.
INDIA
May saw the annual trip to India. It was the first after the hiatus of last 2 covid years. As always India is pleasant, its a trip home so meeting family, friends is always nice. I spent 2 weeks in Shimla and enjoyed some great street food and weather.
I also visited Delhi to meet my MBA buddies. We stayed at the fabulous Hotel Lalit.
In Delhi I visited Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, one of my favourite and I think it was the 2nd or maybe the 3rd time i visited. Absolutely beautiful and so peaceful.
YORKSHIRE DALES, ENGLAND
In the month of June we got an extra bank holiday in the UK for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Me and my boyfriend headed to the countryside of North Yorkshire to the Yorkshire Dale National Park. We took up a daunting challenge, to climb the Three Yorkshire Peaks in a day. We could manage two. The trip was phenomenal. It was not only a massive challenge of our physical abilities, but we enjoyed 4 days of absolute natural beauty at Ingleton Waterfalls, caves and the famous Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes.
DEAL TO SANDWICH WALK, KENT, ENGLAND
In early July, I went on a mission to complete the last leg of the Three Castles Kent walk. Last year I walked Folkestone to Dover; and Dover to Deal. The last leg was Deal to Sandwich which I couldn’t do as it was a very bad weather with high tides. So this year I thought to do a day trip to Deal and walk to Sandwich. Exploring the latter was fun. After all isn’t it exciting to visit the place from where the world got the iconic “Sandwich”!
NORTH DEVON, ENGLAND
In last week of July, realising that my leaves were piling, i took 2 days off and clubbed them with the weekend to travel to North Devon in England. Devon is a beautiful area with an envious coastline and area of outstanding beauty. I made Barnstaple as my base. From here i visited several towns and villages along the coast. The most phenomenal ones were the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth.
I also visited Clovelly, a small fishing village which is privately owned and has an entry ticket. Heavily instagrammed, I had to visit it to kill that curiosity. Well I must say, it was indeed very picturesque.
ART CITIES OF FLANDERS, BELGIUM
In August Bank Holiday, I made this amazing trip to the Flanders region of Belgium. The art cities of Brugge, Ghent, Antwerp were absolutely spectacular. Centuries of history, fairytale old towns with cobbled streets, great museums and some of the most fantastic local beers. I was blessed by a great warm weather as well. I love cultural cities with history, so this trip was definitely my best summer trip this year.
DUBAI AND ABU DHABI
This October it was my Dad’s 75th Birthday this year and we decided to meet midway between India and in the UK. And what other place for celebration than the Bling capital of the world, the gorgeous Dubai. We had an amazing one week of family holiday. We also visited Abu Dhabi where we got a sneak peek into the Ferrari World. Dubai always delivers in terms of its grandeur and glamour. You always go back wanting more from life with a vow to return back.
AUTUMN WALKS IN SCOTNEY CASTLE, ENGLAND
This November we visited Scotney Castle near Tunbridge Wells in Kent England for an autumn walk. A national trust property, it had some fabulous landscapes and autumn reds, auburns, yellows all around. A lovely day out in just about an hour from London.
ANTALYA, TURKIYE
My December holidays trip was to the sunny climes of Antalya in Turkey. The coastal anatolian jewel is absolutely beautiful with its cobbled street old town , the marina overlooking the blue mediterranean sea against the majestic Taurus Mountains, the aroma of kebabs from one corner and turkish coffee from another and a thriving marketplace of oriental carpets to spices and turkish delights. Antalya is everything but ordinary.
LOTS OF LONDON WALKS AND PUBS
London being home, I visit several places, not necessarily all make it to the blog or the gram. Working in Central London may sound fancy, but trust me the work days are office to home and back, with hardly ever any detour. So all the exploratory walks are on weekends. One such pretty walks earlier this year was in Brick Lane. Exploring the latest graffiti and enjoying some curry lunch. Check it here
I love catching a drink, coffee or just a conversation in a proper English pub. One of the most relaxing social activities. Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich has been one of the most decked pub when it comes to celebrations. And this one on the jubilee celebrations looked spectacular.
AND SOME VERY EXCITING RECIPES MADE THEIR WAY TO THE BLOG…
This year I brought to my blog few of my recipes which I would usually post on my personal instagram account. I love cooking and experimenting food from around the world. A lot of my cooking is inspired by my travels. And I couldn’t think of a better way to marry them by posting my recipes on the blog here. To be honest, I still don’t think I good at it, but I am taking some baby steps here and just enjoying it.
Have a look at some of my creations here
As we say goodbye to 2022, here is another year on our doorsteps to realise our dreams, explore the unknown and become a better version of ourselves. For all that this year was, a big thanks to everyone who has been in my life, for your love support, my humble gratitude.
Cheers to 2023; for an year full of possibilities, opportunities and travel.
Wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year!
