a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. d. u. p. n. i

the lights really made the arching hallways pop!

the majestic ammo room

because my inner child will always be captivated by colorful lights

The light and sound show in the Rani Mahal area

Golkonda Fort

diamond in the rough.

located 25 minutes away from Hyderabad city, Golkonda Fort is really a must-see attraction for a young adult with good knee condition.

you can accuse me of being age-ist, but the 360steps to the top and another 360 steps downward was not an easy journey for the elderly and sickly. to top it off, it was not your well-built steps, its a 400 years well-maintained/possibly-had-been-refurbished kind of uneven steps.

as compared to other ruins I had been to, Golkonda Fort deserves a write-up because

1) I never heard people talk about it but yet the ruins are not as hopeless as the Roman Columns in Italy (which in my view, just an amazing jigsaw puzzle board filled with incomplete pieces)

2) I am filled with regret for underestimating the place

3) I am fairly sure I won’t come to the Fort ever again

4) Amitabh Bachan’s voice narrating the history of the place throughout the light and sound show

Golkonda Fort’s 820-years-old architecture still remains as intact as the Colosseum and the best part, it was not as heavily guarded making it the best photography place for the vain pot in me.

Sadly, I underestimated the place and was only aiming for the light and sound show which started at 700pm. We arrived at 530pm, which is the fort’s closing time and we had to take the guide who seemed to have power above the closing hours. Since sunset was around 630, we were rushing throughout our journey and missed the chance to take my hipster pictures at tonnes of good spots.😭😭😭

Nevertheless, in midst of chasing the sun and emerging darkness, I could see the inticracy of the carvings on the pillars and mud and stone walls which gave me a glimpse of its grandeur back in the old times.

a step back in time.

- The Stone Arch Ruin, Golkonda Fort, 18092015

I rarely spend time in editing pictures unless

1) I deem the structure is worth it

my right kind of rose gold..muahahaha

-beautiful sunset over hyderabad as viewed from Golkonda Fort, 18092015

when you feel suffocated on the ground, its always a good idea to go to a higher place.

breathless..

I can almost feel the wind blowing.

“and you see the mountains, thinking them rigid, while they will pass as the passing of clouds. [It is] the work of Allah, who perfected all things. Indeed, He is acquainted with that which you do.” -Surah An-Naml, verse 88

look at all the beautiful masks I couldn’t buy!

I really wish one day I will get to experience the “Venice Carnival”

what would I do if I fall?

if I am 30kgs lighter, I would really consider becoming ballerina. muahaha.

- some corner in Venice, (I really couldn’t remember where this is because I randomly stop for a picture), 060515

p/s: ladies and gentlemen, this is how I entertain myself while traveling.

taking jumping pictures here and there can really filled up my time.

only a solo traveler understands the bliss of out-and-about before everybody else begin their day

travel-scar #3: heavy bags

before anyone got jealous of me..

or turn green from envy

just know that the behind-the-scenes of my penny-pinching travel story is filled with sweats, tears and most definitely MUSCLE-ACHE. (why did u think I packed and used up the panadol extend?)

the not-so-amazing side of london underground/metro is they rarely have elevator.

and since I couldn’t afford to lift the bag, looked at how full-of-scratch my bag is from the slide I made the bag do.

oh, and did u remember I have to manage this two begs on a severely sprained ankle?

and also, did i tell you, the good, functional leg is bleeding from a severe cracked heels?

while this sounded a lot like complaining, just know that I am very very content with my life

I am posting this so that you know, my journey is not just about the carefully selected beautiful pictures that I post, but also the struggle I have been facing to visit the places I want to.

this meal is definitely worth the penny-pinching lifestyle throughout italy!

am I ready to call it a trip?