travelDiaries – Of Sun and Sand

Grateful for 2025: A year that overflowed

As I sat down to put together an end-of-year photo dump, I realized something unexpected. I was scrolling and scrolling—and I hadn’t even made it past the last three months. That’s when it hit me: 2025 wasn’t just busy, it was abundant and for that I am eternally grateful.

This year overflowed in the best ways.

There was travel—loads of it. New places, familiar places seen with new eyes, long walks in unknown streets, airport goodbyes and arrivals that always felt a little like home. Travel stretched time in that magical way, making months feel longer and memories feel richer.

There was reading too. Pages turned on flights, before bed, in quiet mornings, and slow afternoons. Stories that stayed with me, ideas that reshaped how I think, and books that felt like companions rather than distractions. Reading gave this year depth—it slowed things down when everything else was moving fast.

Most importantly, there was family. Reunions that felt overdue, conversations that picked up right where they left off, laughter that came easily, and moments that reminded me how grounding it is to be with people who know you beyond your accomplishments or plans. These were not just gatherings; they were anchors.

2025 was also a year rich in celebration and tradition. We celebrated Ganpati festival with devotion and joy, welcoming Bappa with full hearts and loud chants for the first time in our Phoenix home. We were lucky enough to be able to celebrate Chhath Pooja that brought quiet discipline and gratitude—to the sun, to nature, to life itself. Diwali lit up not just our homes but our spirits, and Navratri came alive in full swing—music, color, energy, and faith all woven together. These festivals weren’t just checkboxes on a calendar; they were lived experiences that grounded me in culture, rhythm, and meaning.

Throughout the year, I found myself returning to the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, words that felt especially relevant in moments of reflection:

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
You have the right to your actions, but not to the fruits of those actions. (2.47)

A reminder to stay present, to do the work, to live fully—without constantly calculating outcomes.

And another verse that echoed softly in the background of a year full of change:

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥ (4.7)

A reminder that renewal is constant, that balance returns, that beginnings often arise from moments of transition.

Looking back, 2025 doesn’t feel like a highlight reel — it feels like a collection of small, meaningful moments woven together, many of which I only truly appreciate now.

As I step into 2026, I do so with gratitude first. Gratitude for a year that gave me more than I expected, taught me more than I planned, and filled my camera roll—and my heart—to the edge.

Here’s to new beginnings, fresh chapters, and the quiet excitement of what’s yet to unfold in 2026.

When the Canyon Whispers: A Lesson in Presence from the North Rim

We had planned to go to LA for the 4th of July this year. However, wildfires along the route forced us to change our plans. We decided to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon instead. I had never visited, and the chance to explore other gems along the way made the long road trip worthwhile.

It was a quiet escape to the North Rim. Nature felt untouched. The views stretched endlessly. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge hugged the rim like a secret waiting to be discovered. Nestled in pine forests, with cool breezes and golden sunsets, the resort promised a peaceful stay, and it delivered. The rustic cabins and the stillness of the nights felt timeless. The moment you walk out and see that canyon drop away is unforgettable.

And yet, just days later, we heard the heartbreaking news: the lodge had been destroyed by wildfires.

It is difficult to put into words the emotion. Shock. Grief. Gratitude. We had just been there, sipping coffee in the sun room while the baby tried out her new binoculars, watching light dance on ancient rocks. We had walked those beautiful wooden floors, attended the Junior Ranger Program (and even answered questions like a front bencher), waved to strangers as if we were all part of some secret club that got to witness something sacred.

And now it’s gone.

This experience hit me in a way I didn’t expect. It was a loud reminder of how unpredictable life is. Places, people, moments—they don’t last forever. Nature is powerful, beautiful, and, at times, unforgiving. But in that unpredictability lies the message: be present. Be present wherever you are, with whoever you are. The present never comes back.

I’m so thankful we didn’t rush through that trip, that we stayed for a day longer than we should have, appreciated beautiful sunsets, stayed up late looking at the stars, enjoyed beverages at the saloon, relished delicious dinners at the restaurant, stared at the canyons, and sat still in silence just to soak it all in. If I had known it would be the last time that lodge stood there, I wouldn’t have done anything differently, because we truly lived in the moment. I am glad we did.

Let this be a reminder: don’t wait for “someday.” Take the trip. Check things off your bucket list. Watch the sunset. Sit by the fire (not in a forest, though). Life is fleeting—make the most of it.

Underrated Arizona: A Road Trip to Hidden Gems

This past weekend, we ditched the usual tourist spots to go on a road trip through some of Arizona’s most underrated (and jaw-dropping) places. If you are looking to explore new and culturally rich sites, this itinerary could be the one for you. This trip promises you genuine Martian vibes and unforgettable colors.

Start from Phoenix, AZ, in the morning.

Stop 1: Montezuma Castle National Monument – It’s basically a five-story high-rise… built into a cliff… 900 years ago. The ancient Sinagua people knew what they were doing. The trail is short and easy (kid-friendly), so you have time to marvel at this real-life time capsule before heading back on the road.

Stop 2: Walnut Canyon – One of the trails is a stair-filled trail that leads you into a canyon sprinkled with cliff dwellings. You can also take an alternate, easier route – the Walnut Canyon Rim and Ruins Trail, which is more kid-friendly.

Stop 3: Wupatki National Monument – Here, you can see the red-rock ruins rise out of the desert like something out of a movie. You can explore ancient pueblos, learn about the Hopi and Ancestral Puebloans, and soak in the surreal Martian landscape.

Stop 4: Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center and Marble Canyon – Cross the Navajo Bridge, stare down at the mighty Colorado River, and enjoy the serenity.

Stop 5: Vermilion Cliffs – Driving alongside the Vermilion Cliffs was unreal. It is like an abstract painting. Pro tip: Do not skip the Cliff Dwellers Stone House. You may drive past by and miss the Martian experience.

We stopped for lunch at the Himalayan Grill in Flagstaff and for coffee at the Jacob Lake Inn. Jacob Lake could also be an optional stop.

We wrapped it all up at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Unlike the South Rim, the North Rim is not crowded and less commercialized. It is at a higher elevation and is much cooler than the South Rim. There are no public restrooms (not even at the visitor center or restaurant), and one must rely on porta potties for answering nature’s calls. For that alone, I am glad that we booked a cabin at the North Rim Grand Canyon Lodge.

You can do mule rides, camp, and hike at the North Rim. Key spots at the North Rim are Point Imperial (the highest point), Cape Royal, Cape Final, and Bright Angel Point. The sunset at Bright Angel Point was absolutely stunning. Fewer people, cooler temperatures, and the magnificent view will leave you speechless.

The trip made me realize that Arizona is a sneaky beauty. Arizona boasts a rich culture, ancient ruins, Martian-like features, stunning canyons, and colors that one will never forget. Over the last five years, I have learned to love the desert. Can’t wait to explore more hidden gems soon.

Finding peace

We had an Airbnb trip with our friends last weekend. The property was surrounded by tall green trees, wildlife, and mountains. It had a beautiful patio, a hot tub, and, most importantly, loads of chill.

On the last day, I woke up early. The sun was shining, and the weather was sweet – summer in PNW felt like winter in Arizona. I looked outside the French windows. The patio looked like a perfect place to sip morning coffee. We had bought coffee beans, so making coffee meant grinding the coffee to the right consistency to begin with. Of course, I could not find the coffee grinder. Not everything needs to be perfect.

I wore a borrowed jacket and went to the patio. I sat on the couch, wrapped in the gentle quiet that only early hours bring. The sun stared straight at me. The world hadn’t fully woken up yet. There was just the soft rustling of leaves. Birds were chirping. Occasionally, I heard the sound of a breeze brushing past. I let the stillness settle into me. It was unbelievably beautiful and calm.

Surrounded by lush greenery, I felt the peace I had been seeking. The trees stood tall and serene, their leaves swaying gently with the breeze. The sky above was an obvious, endless blue, with no noise, no clouds, just openness. It felt like nature was holding space for me to simply be. I needed the peace.

At that moment, I wasn’t thinking about responding to Slack messages, to-do lists, or emails. I wasn’t rushing toward the next thing. I was simply present, anchored by the greenery around me, yet lifted by the sky above. It’s incredible how something as simple as a quiet morning on a patio can realign your entire mindset.

I didn’t miss the coffee I initially intended to include in my plan. This experience led me to realize that plans don’t need to be flawless. They don’t need to unfold exactly as we want them to. It is perfectly okay if certain elements are absent; sometimes, flexibility is key. Instead of dwelling on what’s missing, it’s more productive to embrace the original intent. Then, proceed with the journey as it currently stands. Every plan can have its own unique twists and turns. These deviations can often lead to unexpected discoveries and new opportunities. Such is life.

Sometimes, true peace doesn’t stem from the hustle of daily tasks or relentless ambition. Instead, it emerges when we take the time to slow down, step outside, and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the outdoors. Nature reminds us of what truly matters.

Wishing you peace and calm, so you can appreciate the present moment and feel centered.

Week 2, 3, 4, 2025: Updates

Week 2
The 2nd week was a tough one. Everyone returned from vacations, and a mountain of workload was upon us. Everyone felt like a headless chicken – overwhelmed and a little crazy. The list of to-do’s seemed endless. Everyone worked longer hours.
I had other issues, though. While everyone had just returned to the office, I prepared to go on a vacation the following week. I was busy tying loose ends, making hours, and preparing the team to function without me. The following two weeks were going to be hectic and tiresome.

Week 3
We left for the shortest trip ever to India. The baby and I traveled 35 hours one way and changed four flights to reach our destination. The first three flights were smooth; the baby decided not to board the fourth one. The baby threw tantrums at the Mumbai Domestic Airport. I was not embarrassed at all. Reasonable.
The event we traveled to attend was a somber one. It was my Grandmother’s first death anniversary, and all the close family members were present. The event was beautiful. Our Grandmother would be pleased.
The baby was jet lagged and could not sleep at night. I made lunch items at 2 AM and snack items at 4 AM. The baby missed her father.

Week 4
The fourth week started with our travel back to the US. We hopped on multiple flights and traveled to various destinations to reach the United States. We explored a new destination on the way – magnificent palaces and pristine beaches.
The trip to New York this time was unlike any other. I returned to work – 500 emails greeted me (77 are still unread), things seemed to fall apart, and the team did everything they could. I pulled another 18-hour shift for a critical project to go live. Such is life dearies.
The family continued to be jet-lagged. We did not do much sightseeing. Everyone took turns falling sick. The baby continued missing her father. I missed N, too. We realized that 2 weeks away as a family is a long time to be away.

We also realized that the baby needed both her parents. She is transforming from Momma’s Girl to Daddy’s Princess, and it is beautiful to see. We could not wait to reunite as a family. ❤

Keep watching this space for more beautiful moments and health updates in Week 5.

#wontEatWillTravel – Rocky Mountain National Park

Venue: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Duration: 1 or 2 days
Best time to visit: Pretty much all around the year.
Accommodation: Estes Park or cabins around the national park. Denver or cities nearby could be a good option as well.

It was a last-minute trip. We did not have a list of things to do for the long weekend and had decided to go with the flow. The itinerary is as below. You have to make reservations to enter the national park and can only enter during those hours. The link to make reservations is here -> https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086910.

Day 1:
A few must-visit places –
Estes Park: This place is slightly outside the national park. It is a busier area with beautiful lakes, breathtaking views, and loads of restaurants and shopping areas.
Moraine Park: This spot is on your way to the Bear lake corridor. Moraine Park offers abundant wildlife and breathtaking views of the snow-clad mountains.
Bear Lake: This one is a short 0.8 miles walk in the park. The lakes were still frozen and added to the beauty.
Dream Lake & Emerald Lake: The trail starts from the Bear Lake trail. It can get trickier due to the snow.
Trail Ridge Road: This drive offers gorgeous views of the mountains. The views from the overlook spots are stunning. The Forest Canyon overlook has panoramic views of Hayden Gorge, Gorge lakes, Longs Peak, and Stones Peak.
Alpine visitor center: It is the highest visitor center in the US. The alpine ridge trail is an easy, 0.6-mile hike that takes us to the panoramic views of the entire national park.
Alberta Falls: This is one of the popular waterfalls in the park. This 1.7 miles trip takes around 1-1.5 hours. It could take longer due to snow.

Day 2:
The second day was reserved for the Royal Gorge Route Railway trip, Garden of Gods, and Pike’s Peak. You can book the rides here –> https://www.royalgorgeroute.com/. This spectacular 2-hour train ride takes through the Colorado Rockies and tracks the river along the way. The open coaches guarantee you a ‘Chhaiyya Chhaiyya’ feel. We could not do Garden of the Gods and Pike’s peak due to hailstorms but they are must-visit spots. We ended up celebrating our friends’ engagement instead.

More things to do in Colorado:
Colorado has varied landscapes. You could ski, snow-shoe in Aspen, hike in the Rockies, do kayaking and river-rafting in Canon city, or enjoy a hot-air balloon flight in Lafayette. If you feel adventurous you could do ziplining, via Ferrata, take an aerial gondola, or ride the world’s scariest sky coaster. Visit this website for more –> https://www.colorado.com/.

New girl in the city – Chandler, AZ

Date: 02/28/21
Venue: Chandler, AZ

2:48 AM: I opened my eyes to search for the source of light/noise that woke me up. After having found no robber/alien, I decided to go back to sleep.
After a failed attempt, I opened WhatsApp. My school friends had just discovered celery juice, ayurvedic medicines, yoga, and the incessant need to reduce weight and be fit. I looked at my growing waistline and decided to do something about it as well. #noteToSelf: Change eating and drinking habits.

3:45 AM: Sleep had given me a slip. I decided to take life into my own hands and read a few chapters from Mrs.Funnybones instead of wasting time ‘trying’ to sleep.

4:45 AM: After reading a few chapters, I stopped to think. I realized that I had never stopped to think about how life has changed or the magnitude of that change. Chandler has made me a daughter-in-law and a wife. I made a quick list of changes in different aspects of life –

Amazing Love/Married life
Marriage is what brought me here. We have come to realize the beauty of marriage. We have seen love, trust and our relationship grow every day.

Questionable Social Life
It feels like 2nd grade all over again when I had moved to a new school and none would play with me! Jokes aside, I miss the social life, bar-hopping, feeling of belongingness, fun, and generally…knowing people. I miss my dance life! I miss throwing KJo style parties for 100 people – partly because of Covid and partly because the husband and I are at least 4 years away from knowing 100 people in the area. At present, the struggle to have a social life is real.

Strenuous Job hunt
I don’t know where this is going. Only the Gods know the bigger picture.

5:15 AM: My eyes felt swollen. I decided to go back to bed, for real this time. As I laid down, I looked at the husband. He opened his eyes and the following conversation happened (that he has no recollection of) –

Husband: Why aren’t you asleep?
Me: I don’t know. I am trying to go back to sleep now.
Husband: Why don’t you get up and do something fruitful?
I was amazed at my husband’s thoughtful suggestion at the unGodly hour. I knew that the apartment was a mess but I was hoping he wouldn’t ask me to do the unthinkable at this time.
Me: Do you have any ideas for me? I just read a couple of chapters.
Husband: Why don’t you apply and study?
Me: What? At 5 AM? But I want to sleep! Good night.
Both of us fell asleep. #noteToSelf: Never engage in a conversation when the husband is half-asleep. He does not remember and you get furious!

10:00 AM: I woke up swollen. My eyes felt like boiled potatoes. The husband was already on a family call. I joined in.

11:00 AM: I told the husband about last night’s half-asleep conversation. I also announced that we should be cognizant of our eating habits or may soon need karela juice and intermittent fasting to shed the extra pounds. He laughed the entire conversation off.
Brunch happened.

Noon: We decided to take an impromptu trip. We look for nearby places to visit.

12:10 PM: The much-needed cleaning spree began. I am sorry, were we not going on a trip?

2:00 PM: We left for the half-day trip.

3:00 PM: We reached Saguaro lake. Kayaks, picnic tables, barbecues, wind in the hair, and barbecues were an integral part of the scene. All we had was a packet of chips. We decided to eat barbecue-flavored chips to match up. We were not prepared to party here. #noteToSelf: Be better prepared next time.

3:55 PM: Having skipped lunch, we rushed to the only restaurant at the lake and got ourselves a table. The wind was chilly (hoodies on) and the food was yummy (french fries a must!).

5:30 PM: On our way back home, we took a detour to Fountain hills. The fountain did not go off since wind speed was higher than 10 miles per hour. The view and serenity compensated for that.

6:30 PM: We called it a day.

I realized the day is how Chandler has been. I did not know what to expect after Seattle. Life had thrown enough lemons my way. Chandler has been like a lake in the middle of a desert, a breath of fresh air and wind in my dry hair. It has been like a Cosmopolitan lined with lemon with a twist. It has been surreal, amazing, and unexpected. It has been fabulous and beautiful in very different ways. Life here has been something beyond my imagination. Here’s me hoping that life gets better in the Social life and job-hunt realm soon.

More to come.

#wontEatWillTravel – Zion National Park

Venue: Zion National Park, Utah
Duration: 1 or 2 days
Best time to visit: Summer and early autumn
Accommodation: I recommend that you stay at the lodges inside of the national park. We stayed at Page, AZ. If you plan to visit Bryce Canyon as well, I would recommend staying at BnB/hotels right outside/between the two national parks.
Entrance Fees: $35

This day trip was impromptu. The original plan was Las Vegas, NV –> Page, AZ –> Horseshoe bend, AZ –> Lake Powell, AZ –> Monument Valley, AZ. We did not realize that the way to Page would go via Utah. After entering Utah we checked the maps for proximity to Zion national park (out of curiosity). We were only 30 miles away. So, all roads led to Zion.

Zion national park looks very different in summer vs winter. In summers you have to take the NPS shuttle to go around. In winter, you can use your car. We left Vegas after check-out and had lost a significant amount of daylight already. Our time in Zion was going to be limited. We decided to drive down the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and limit it to one hike for the day.

The Zion Canyon Scenic drive begins at the Zion visitor center and ends at the Temple of Sinawawa (The Narrows). Popular hikes/points like Angels Landing and Observation point are along the scenic drive. The drive looked very different in the winter. Hundreds walked along the scenic road instead of driving. The fall colors looked magnificent. There was a chill in the air. Wildlife roamed free on the roads and obstructed traffic for the most part. It was lovely! We drove to the Temple of Sinawawa and hiked to the Narrows. After sunset, we returned with phone torches on.

Though we could not cover Zion extensively on this trip, here are a few must-visit places –
Canyon Overlook Trail: This 1-mile round trip hike offers one of the best views of the canyon.
Riverside Trail: This 2.2 miles roundtrip is a beautiful walk alongside the Virginia river.
Angels Landing: It is the most popular and thrilling hike that might require training. A section of the hike requires chain-assisted rock climbing!
Weeping Rock: It is a short hike with a mostly paved way. As the name suggests, it is a huge rock dripping with water.
Emerald Pool Trail: This 1.5-3 miles hike connects the lower and upper Emerald pools.
Hidden Canyon Trail: This strenuous 3-mile hike is similar to Angels landing with steep trails and chain-assisted climbing.
Observation Point: This 8-mile long strenuous hike offers jaw-dropping views of Zion national park.
The Narrows: I’ve had a chance to hike the narrows in the summer. This trail goes through the river into the red canyon. The water gets deeper as you proceed. You can use a pair of shorts to do this hike or rent the equipment.

I recommend staying inside the national park if possible. That would save a lot of daylight. Catching the sunrise and sunset would make the trip perfect.

We left for Page, AZ, soon after the hike. As it turned darker, the moonlight reflected off the snow. We stopped in the middle of nowhere for some stargazing. We reached Page for dinner. A few pictures from the day –

#wontEatWillTravel – Death Valley National Park

Venue: Death valley national park
Duration: 1 or 2 days
Best time to visit: October to April
Visitor Center: Furnace Creek
Accommodation: Few hotels/motels inside. We stayed in Las Vegas, NV
Entrance fees: $30

Death Valley national park is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the US. It covers an area of 3.4 million acres! Despite that, you can cover the national park in a day (if you utilize the daylight well). It is barren, bold, and beautiful. It is hostile and diverse. We had only one day to spend here, so we kept away from all hikes. Please make sure you wear sunblock (for summers), have enough warm clothes (for winters), your car has enough juice to survive the day, and carry enough food for yourself. Death Valley is one of the not-so commercialized national parks. There are hardly any restaurants and gas stations inside. If you are traveling from Las Vegas, the last stop to fill in gas is Pahrump. We picked up food in Las Vegas. The route we took is as indicated in the map below.

Dante’s view: This point offers a premier outlook of the national park. It is at 5476 ft. above sea level. It gives splendid views of the Badwater basin that is 282 ft. below sea level.
20 Mule team canyon: We did not know what to expect here. It is a beautiful drive surrounded by white mudstone hills. This one-way road starts fairly wide and narrows towards the end of the canyon before joining the highway. Statutory warning: The road gets curvy later.
Zabriskie Point: This is a good sunrise point. It offers a stunning overlook of the badlands full of canyons in all directions. It is a must-visit point.
Furnace Creek Visitor Center: This is the main visitor center. It has campsites, drinking water, restrooms, and a gas station.
Artist’s palette: There are multiple attractions en route to the Badwater Basin. The hills at Artist’s palette are green, pink, and yellow due to the presence of mica, manganese and iron salts, etc. We were losing daylight, so we drove straight to the Badwater Basin.
Devil’s golf course: The valley floor surface is jagged and uneven, unlike the Badwater basin. This quick stop is necessary.
Natural bridge: This 2-mile round-trip takes you to a natural bridge (1 hour). We skipped it.
Badwater Basin: The valley floor is a salt pan and the lowest point in the US at 282 ft. below sea level. It was our sunset point for the day. The feeling was surreal. You can walk as much as you want in the basin and come back.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: This was our stargazing spot.
6 PM: It felt like 9 PM. We got a good and clear view of the stars and the milky way. We spent an hour talking about the stars, the milky way, and ancient aliens.
7 PM: An animal ran across. We stood up. I turned on my flashlight and directed it to the animal. It was out of the reach of the light but stared right back at us. We decided to leave. We continued our conversation in the parking lot during dinner. Suddenly the car behind ours turned on the headlights and moved. We could see a set of the prying eyes around the vehicle. They left the spot.
On further research, we realized that we had been surrounded by a pack of kit foxes all this while! It was our first rendezvous with wildlife from up close. We left immediately.

I recommend you spend at least two days here and stay at a hotel inside the national park if possible. One can only imagine the sunrises and sunsets here. A few captured moments below.

PC: Ninad/Ankit/Me
Next: Zion National Park

#wontEatWillTravel Road trip Christmas 2020

Day 1/6

We wanted day one to be light. We left home at noon.

205 miles. 3 hours.

Punjabi Dhaba, Kingman, AZ: We stopped here for lunch. This one was a surprise. The restaurant hides behind a Love’s truck stop. You know it is an authentic Punjabi restaurant when you see Canadian truck drivers stopping for a take-out. The menu is limited but will more than satisfy your taste buds.

+85 miles. 1 and 1/2 hours.

Hoover Dam, AZ/NV: We reached this beauty a little before the sunset. All tours are closed owing to the pandemic. So, this was quick.

+38 miles. 45 minutes.

Las Vegas, NV: We went into full tourist mode and clicked a picture under the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.

We stayed at Caesar’s Palace hotel for the first two nights. Despite the pandemic, Las Vegas was pretty crowded. Only a few selected businesses remain closed. We were checked for temperature before check-in. The check-in procedure took almost an hour. The room was beautiful and had a pool view! Statutory warning: Parking is a pain.

We decided to walk the strip in the evening. We also took a ride in the Linq high roller. You can practice social distancing on the ride as every pod seats only 5-6 people. It promises fantastic views for sure.

We returned to the hotel at around midnight.
Next: Death valley national park.

PC: Ninad aka The Husband