Why Turning 36 is Special & Crafting My 36-Bucket List Journey

Turning 36 marks a significant milestone in life—a moment where we find ourselves at the crossroads of reflection and anticipation. It's a time of introspection, a chance to look back at the journey that brought us here and the lessons we've learned along the way. At 36, we've a massive experiences that have shaped our character, relationships that have enriched our lives, and accomplishments that deserve celebration. It's a time to embrace the wisdom gained, cherish the present, and set intentions for the future. Join me on this remarkable journey as we delve into the reasons why turning 36 is truly special, a time for growth, gratitude, and embracing the magic of life.

 As I stand at the precipice of turning 36, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that has brought me here and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. In celebration of this milestone, I have decided to embark on an exhilarating quest to create my very own bucket list—a collection of 36 awe-inspiring dreams and aspirations that will fuel my soul and push me to new heights.

1. Visit the Taj Mahal: Enhance travel experiences by visiting at least one world wonder.  Accomplished   Discovered the Taj Mahal's Awe-Inspiring Beauty on a North Indian Trip with Parents, Originally it was planned for a friendsWedding. 
2. Attend a literature festival: India has a thriving literary scene, with numerous literature festivals held throughout the country. Attend a festival to meet famous authors and participate in discussions about literature and culture. Accomplished on April 25th 2023
3. Attend the Holi Festival: As someone hailing from South India, I always harbored a deep desire to take part in the vibrant and colorful celebration of the Holi festival. Accomplished this year at my apartment
4. Explore the backwaters: Take a boat ride through the serene backwaters of Kerala, or any backwaters 
5. Share a mesmerizing dance with my husband : There's something undeniably enchanting about moving gracefully on the dance floor, embraced in the arms of the one we love —this is a dream I wanted cherish. Accomplished on May 27 2023, we experienced an enchanting dream, gracefully dancing on the beach, embraced by my love during a beach trek.
6. Roof-Top Adventures: Experience the exhilaration of travel by sitting on the roof of a bus or lorry, admiring the breathtaking views and feeling the wind rush through hair. Accomplished  Had a chance to travel on th roof of Bus with Breathtaking Views! Trekking Memories - So Much Fun!
7. Take a cooking class: Learn how to cook delicious Indian cuisine from a local chef.
8. Attend any movie premiere: I attended the Varisi movie premiere, and to my astonishment, the director recognized me, honoring and inviting me on stage, making me feel like a true part of the cinematic magic. Accomplished on Dec 16th 2021,
9. Ride a camel in the Thar Desert: Explore the sandy desert of Rajasthan on the back of a camel.
10. Go on a wildlife safari: Adventures in Natural Habitats: Explore India's Diverse Wildlife: Tigers, Elephants, Rhinos - Safari Accomplished  Had an exhilarating wildlife safari - close encounters with lions, tigers, bears, and snakes! Best experience ever!
11. Explore Private Waterfalls:  Accomplished  When we went to Coorg, we stayed at the end of the mountain and enjoyed a private waterfall, where only the three of us were present.
12.  Experience Ayurvedic treatments: Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine, and experiencing an Ayurvedic massage or treatment can be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
13. Visit the Golden Temple: Located in the city of Amritsar, the Golden Temple is a beautiful and spiritual place of worship for the Sikh community.Accomplished  
14. Attend a cricket match: Cricket is the most popular sport in India, and attending a match is a great way to experience the excitement and passion of the fans.
15. Unique Trekking Experince with Beach Trekking and Railway Trekking
16. Stay in Tree House 
17. Stay in Tent
18. Visit Caves: Explore Nature's Mysteries and Unearth Hidden Wonders Accomplished  Yana caves
19. Just A Road Trip:
20. Attend a traditional Indian wedding
21. Experience Dudhsagar to Goa train journey: India has an extensive railway network, and taking a train journey through the country can be a unique and memorable experience.
22. Attend a local festival: India has numerous festivals throughout the year, each with its own unique traditions and customs. Attend a local festival to experience the vibrant culture of India.  Accomplished Can Mariamman Festival Outshine Any Local Celebrations?
23. Explore forts and palaces of Rajasthan: The state of Rajasthan is known for its stunning forts and palaces, which provide a glimpse into the region's rich history and culture.
    
24. Attend a yoga retreat: India is the birthplace of yoga, and attending a yoga retreat can be a transformative experience for your mind, body, and spirit.
    
25. Hop on a street food tour: India is famous for its diverse and delicious street food. Take a food tour to sample some of the country's best culinary offerings.
    
26.  Visit the beaches of Goa: Accomplished Having been to Goa, I can attest to its allure with stunning beaches, lively nightlife and a few days relaxing on the sand and soaking up the sun.
27. Experience a homestay: Stay with a local family to experience the hospitality and warmth of Indian culture.
28. Attend a Kathakali performance: Kathakali is a traditional dance form from the southern state of Kerala, known for its colorful makeup and elaborate costumes.
29.  Experience the Longest Zipline Amidst Forest Wonder :
30. Take a hot air balloon ride: See India from above on a hot air balloon ride, and enjoy stunning views of the countryside.
31. Attend a music concert: Sufi music is a form of devotional music that originated in Muslim cultures. Attend a Sufi music concert to experience the spiritual and soulful music.
32. Visit a palace
33. Take a bicycle tour: Explore the streets of Indian cities and towns on a bicycle tour, and get a unique perspective on the local culture.
34. Volunteer at a social organization: India has many social organizations working to improve the lives of marginalized communities. Volunteer your time and skills to contribute to a cause you are passionate about.
35. Run a Marathon in Marriage Costumes: Participate in a marathon wearing matching marriage costumes with my husband, creating a memorable and unique experience together.
36. Witness the mesmerizing sunrise at any one of the beach and mountain

Whether you are 16 or 60, it's never too early or too late to dream big and create a personalized bucket list that resonates with your deepest desires. Together, we will defy the ordinary and discover the magic that lies within us, manifesting our dreams into reality. Let the adventure begin!

Discovering the Unexpected: A Memorable Unplanned Trip to Coorg

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Journey to Coorg's Beauty:

Starting our day with a refreshing cup of tea  ☕💻✨ #EarlyMorningTea

We continued our journey, with the hope of reaching Coorg in 20 Kms. We lost network connectivity and were completely reliant on our instincts and locals to reach our destination. After crossing 30 kms, we finally reached a point where we could get some network connectivity. We searched for the location of Coorg and realized that we were still 80 kilometers away from the main point of Coorg. However, we were determined to make it there as it was just a 1 hour 30 minutes drive.

We set out on our journey once again and were greeted with a breathtaking view via Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary. The lush greenery and the stunning road views made the long journey worthwhile.

After driving 80 kilometers, we reached the location that the map showed us as Coorg. But to our surprise, it was just a forest! We soon realized that we had reached the Coorg district, but to explore the places, we needed to go to Madikeri Town.

We searched on all the travel websites, but couldn't find a single hotel to stay. We realized that it was already 3 pm and hadn't yet found a good restaurant to eat.  

After deep diving for Coorg Cuisine Restaurant on Google reviews and reaching the recommended spot for lunch, we found it to be extremely crowded and didn't have the time to wait any longer as it was already 3.45 pm. As we were parking the car, a friendly local recommended that the hype around Coorg cuisine was overrated and suggested we try the Paris Restaurant instead. We gorged on the delicious food, and our spirits were lifted. With renewed energy, we set out to explore the rooms for the stay. 

Unplanned and Unforgettable: A Tale of Finding a HomeStay in a Forest in Coorg:

We managed to book Ananya Greens Resort through Booking.com. However, our plans hit a snag when we received a call from the hotel manager informing us that no rooms were available and the availability as showing due to a technical issue. We were stuck in a difficult situation, as it was peak season, and we had nowhere else to go.

Desperate for a place to stay, we requested the manager Pranav to help us out and give us a room at any cost. Thankfully, he referred us to another person Sandeep who could help us out.

Meanwhile, we started walking on foot, going road by road, street by street checking all the hotels in the vicinity for availability. We must have called over 30 hotels, but all in vain. We were running out of options and had almost given up hope.

However, our luck changed when we received a call from Sandeep. It was a Homestay inside a forest with coffee estate located far from the city, but at that point, we were willing to take whatever we could get. The location was so secluded that it wasn't even displayed on the maps, but we decided to take a chance and check it out.

Our host had instructed us to come near the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences and follow his route to the homestay. Little did we know that our destination was located at the end of the forest, surrounded by mountains and mist, coffee plantations, and beautiful landscapes

As we arrived, we were struck by the beauty of the place. We were completely surrounded by nature, and it felt like a paradise.

In the evening, our host took us to a private waterfall, which was exclusively for us. It was just my husband, son, nature and me, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The beauty of the waterfall was breathtaking, and we felt like we were in a fairytale. 

We returned to our homestay for dinner, and it was fantastic - unlimited food, and the flavors were exquisite. We were pleasantly surprised when we met another family at dinner, and they turned out to be very social. We instantly became good friends with Ambika and her family, and our kids hit it off as well. Our son, Hethvick, had a great time playing with their kids. Occasionally, they would hit the football, and it would roll into the forest. In the dark, they searched for the ball, and it added to the adventure. Including Hethvick we all had stayed up late, chatting and playing games until midnight. 

Experience at Dubare Elephant Camp:

Next day, Monday, We woke up to a beautiful misty morning.

We had planned to visit the Dubare Elephant Camp (Open Timings: 9 am to 11:30am) and were excited to see the majestic animals up close. However, as we arrived at the camp, we found it to be extremely crowded. Due to the shortage of water, boating was canceled, and we had to cross the river to reach the camp.

We soon realized that we were not going to be able to bathe the elephants as planned. The line to do so was incredibly long, and by the time we got there, it was already too late.

We decided to explore the camp and feed the elephants instead. We spoke to  mahouts and Hethvick got the opportunity to feed an elephant, and it was an incredible experience for him.

After lunch, We bid goodbye to our Ambika and family, hoping to meet them again soon.

On our way back to Bangalore, we encountered heavy rain and traffic. However, we were delighted to see a beautiful rainbow, which made the journey more enjoyable.

With memories we returned back.

Sometimes, it's good to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature.

Our unplanned trip had turned out to be an unforgettable experience. We learned that even when things don't go according to plan, there's always a way out. All you need is a little bit of luck and the willingness to take a chance.

Sometimes, the best experiences come from unexpected situations.

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Stay inspired and keep exploring!