Of Sea, Sand and Sunsets - Reflections #GoaDiaries #MondayBlogs

“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset.”– Richie Norton

One of the best feelings in life is to watch a sunset over the sea. It’s a splendid sight to watch, how the blazing sun gradually dims, appears to dip into the sea, and the sky gradually changes its hues. That’s something I relished witnessing on our first getaway of 2021. Last week we were in Goa for a much needed short holiday, and it was a very welcome break for all of us. 

Whenever we are in Goa for a holiday we prefer to have a relaxed stay by chilling on the beach and enjoying the sea. So instead of going and rushing around places, we try to in soak in the sun, have fun in the water, watch sunsets and unwind. With a kid, it makes more sense to keep things simple and it works for us very well. Sharing a few pictures and some musings and reflections from the trip here.

Memorable Quotes from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Memorable Quotes from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is one of the most memorable books that I read in 2020. First published in the year 1890, this novel is Wilde’s most controversial works. The story explores the themes of beauty, art, love, and morality. The protagonist of the story is Dorian Gray who wishes for eternal youth at his soul's expense. That sounds dark, isn’t it? Dorian Gray is not remotely a likeable character and by the end of the book, you would very likely hate him. 

The book explores the dark side of the human psyche and it does it with precision and incisive wit in the prose. If you want to know more about the storyline I would suggest you check out the blurb on GoodReads and this wiki page tells all about why this book was surrounded by controversy when published.

What made the book memorable for me was not the storyline, but the tact with which it is narrated. The author is sometimes absolutely ruthless in stating his opinions – as uncomfortable as they may sound – you can’t deny there is some truth in them. The themes explored in the book are relevant even today - after more than a century of its first publication. You have to read it to know why. It is a relatively thin book for a classic and is a thought-provoking read.

A Visit to Golconda Fort, Hyderabad | Few Interesting Facts About Golconda Fort

Golconda Fort, Hyderabad

In the last week of December 2020, we went for an impromptu trip to the Golconda Fort. We have been living in Hyderabad for more than two years now, and for some reasons, this trip didn’t happen earlier. Even this time when we left our place for the fort, Google was suggesting that the fort might be temporarily closed (most likely covid restrictions, we assumed). But, we took our chances and went ahead with the plan, with the thought that in the worst-case scenario, we were just going on a long drive. But, luckily for us, the fort was open to a limited number of visitors. It turned out to be a great evening for us, and we had a lovely time exploring the fort the best way we could with a 5-year-old in tow.

The Golconda Fort is one of the landmark architectural masterpieces situated at the outskirts of the city of Hyderabad. Resting at an altitude of about 400 ft., it is one of the Deccan Plateau’s biggest fortresses. It has played an important role in the political developments of Southern India since centuries. From the Kakatiyas of Warangal to the Bahmanis and from Qutub Shahi Kings later to Aurangazeb, the fort served all the dynasties that ruled Hyderabad.

37‌ ‌Things‌ ‌I‌ ‌am‌ ‌Grateful‌ ‌for‌ #WrappingUp2020

 

I have been cultivating an attitude of gratitude for years now, and 2020 has been a year when its meaning took a whole new level. 2020 has been a year like no other in our lives, and it only makes sense to bid adieu to this year while counting our blessings. I have been thinking about it ever since Corrine had suggested this prompt for early December linky, but I could not get around writing it then. But, hey, can you be ever late in counting your blessings? Yes, it’s never too late to be grateful and count our blessings. In case you are wondering why the number 37, well I turned 37 years fabulous and wiser this year. Considering one blessing for each year I have lived till now, listing 37 blessings is not too difficult. Isn’t it? I must add here that adding this number was also Corrine's idea and a fun one at that I say.

Word of the Year 2021 & My Lessons from 2020

Word of the Year 2021 & My Lessons from 2020

What a year 2020 has been? Did anyone imagine how the year would unfold before us when we were sending out the happy new year greetings at the beginning of the year! I didn’t, and I am sure, none of us had ever imagined living through a pandemic and the lockdown restrictions we all have been through this year. Despite everything the world has gone through this year, when I reflected my journey through the year, I realised the year 2020 has not been that bad a year for me personally. There were several inconveniences, but nothing untoward and that I believe is itself a blessing.