My Yatra Diary Goes International!

A couple of months back, I put down two pieces as entries to two distinct contests hosted by my favorite blogger directory, that which I call as my learning playground – IndiBlogger. They were, The Village Woman by the Riverside - the contest post that I had written for Expedia,

Expedia and IndiBlogger Entries
Spot me with my entry on the Expedia contest page of IndiBlogger

and A Real Bond: An Ode to my Grandpa – Post for Kissan.

Kissan and IndiBlogger Result
Spot my entry in the second place on the Kissan contest page of IndiBlogger

Remember them? Well, it gives me immense joy and happiness to inform you all that I won prizes in both of them! And the icing on the cake is that both of the prizes pertain to traveling, or we could say.. yatras, that too for free! While expedia gave me an all exclusive 6 days fully paid trip to Japan – one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Kissan presented before me a tough choice list of 6 off beat places in India to choose my destination from.

Kissan and IndiBlogger Result
Me, holding the lucky position of number 3 and the other winners of Kissan

Out of the two, my Kissan yatra will still take a bit of time going, but the Expedia yatra is well underway and I am all set to fly to Japan very very soon!

A Bit More on Me and the Contests:

There were a lot of wonderful participating entries and with so much creativity flowing, honestly speaking, initially I never ever imagined to even get a place in the winners list... But...

Expedia and IndiBlogger Result
Yay! Japan, it was and boy, if I wasn't delighted!

I absolutely believe, it was all your wishes... they worked like magic wands for me... and that is truly the reason how I am where I am today - packing my bags, ready to soar high in the sky, all set to step foot on an alien land for the very first time in my life... Need I say, I feel truly blessed...

A lot happened since the time I won the contest– A lot of mails exchanged, a few phone calls, some edgy moments and a bit of anxiety but all this gradually snowballed into feelings of anticipation, excitement and gratitude –

Right now...

It’s a mixed bag of emotions that life has pleasingly placed in my little lap...  and like a new found toy, I am loving to fiddle with the things it has so lovingly assorted for me...

Every passing minute looks like a dream with something new popping out from somewhere ... flitting and zapping past my eyes... Sometimes, I am trying to figure out a way to get hold onto that... At other times, I am just letting it all flow...

A small note of --
My heartfelt THANK YOU to YOU,

Because it’s the strength of your wishes that got me this far... And I need it, once again... to take me further,

Your precious footprints on my little Expedia post

Close your eyes and speak with your heart,

Wish me luck...

Going on a short break, will miss all of you but will be back very soon to take you along too...

Till then, happy blogging :)


PS: I am busy with all the preparations and stuff like that, and hence not getting enough time to visit all your blogs. Kindly excuse me for the same.

Post a Comment

95 Comments

  1. Hearty congratulations!!!
    Have fun!!

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  2. u deserve it... the posts were absolutely fantastic...

    hope u will have a very nice time in Japan... wish u a safe and happy journey!!!

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  3. Happy to hear. wish you a happy yatra :)

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  4. This is fantastic, Arti! And so well deserved! I am so excited and thrilled for you!! Bravo!!

    Sylvia

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  5. Have fun Arti! We look forward to hearing tales from your travels when your back!

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  6. yay! i'm so happy for you, arti. :)

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  7. ...hearty congrats Arti:) and all the best of luck:) looking forward to see Japan through your eyes and pen:)

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  8. Hi Arti! If it is the wishes that got you the prizes, you deserved every one of them for having been a friend to newbies on blogosphere. I believe, however, that you deserved the prizes for the quality of your entries (read the Kissan one - the expedia was before i joined Indi). All the best for your international yatras and Bon Voayage.

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  9. Arti, you deserve all those awards and much more! Hope you have wonderful trips to these lovely destinations and wishing you many more laurels:)

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  10. Oh dear! you are going places... now Japan and then another place of your choice!!!
    Well, well, have a memorable trip and carry back a lifetime of memories with you :) Bon voyage :)

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  11. congrats~~

    wish you happy journey :)

    http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.in/

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  12. Congratulations!!! How exciting! I hope you will return with lots of pictures from Japan!!! Let us know when you have decided on the other country.

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  13. Arti, congratulations on winning both prizes. Enjoy your trip to Japan.

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  14. Yayy! That's really awesome :) I'm waiting for your diary of touring in Japan.:):) My best wishes are with you! :):) Have a happy, safe and a fun filled journey :)

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  15. Congratulations!!!
    Cheers! Partyyyy! Fun! yey!

    Trip to Japan! Wow! Its like a dream coming true! So happy for you my dear :)
    You are an inspiration for others to participate and write more... :)
    and also ''Life is fun,it has many unfold mysteries rolled with surprises ''

    Hmm..gonna miss u but will be waiting to know all the fun! :)
    My best wishes are always with you..Lots of love! happy journey!
    Love n hug!

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  16. Congrats dear and welcome to Japan :)

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  17. Congrats arti.. Way to go :)

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  18. Congratulations!!!
    Have a wonderful yatra to Japan.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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  19. Congrats Arti. Have a wonderful trip. Awaiting for your photos and blog entries once you are back from Japan :)

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  20. Have a Super dooper trip to the land of the rising sun!

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  21. Congratulations and have a great trip Arti..:-)

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  22. Hey Many Many Congratulations...

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  23. hey, this is great!! congratulations!! i remember reading that post and my comment should be there somewhere :).

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  24. Dear Arti, oh my, i am so happy for you! Congrats girl, you deserve it and will make the most of these trips! I do remember your entries - they were magical! Love for a rich and adventurous time!

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  25. I am so happy for you Arti!!!! Congratulations and my best wishes--I know there will be sweet stories from you as a result of these trips!!!

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  26. Hi Aarti, nice to hear that you are going on a trip of your life. Wow, Japan!!
    Your travel posts are lovely :)
    Have a happy and safe journey and bring back lots of memories :)

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  27. This is really a good news.

    Congratulation.

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  28. I am so happy for you Arti, congratulations again. Hope you have an amazing trip to japan. Take care. :)

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  29. Congratulation. You truly deserve them.

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  30. Congratulations! Wish you happy journeys :)

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  31. All the best and congrats .. woooo hoooo have a great holiday and enjoyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

    Bikram's

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  32. Oh my, congrats Arti!!!!!!!

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  33. Wishing you a happy and safe journey and a fun-filled stay in Japan.... you really deserve this and much more!!! Will surely miss you... waiting for those crispy posts about Japan :) Enjoy the holiday!!

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  34. Whoa !!!! Am so happy for you Arti :) I hope you have a great trip abroad and come back with great stories and beautiful photographs from your brand new camera.
    All the best and happy journey :)

    You are an inspiration :)

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  35. Congratulations Arti,

    I always enjoy your blog post as you touch all the elements of a true travellor exploring and sharing every simple moment that catches your eye, you do not care if the people in the pictures look poor simple and rusric and portray the humble spirit of india. There is a divine fragnance in all your posts and I am sure lord krishna has blessed you with this wonderfull gift...a trip to another humble country in the world..eagerly looking forward to your pictures on the trip...enjoy your trip

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  36. Congratulations Arti, that is wonderful and you must be thrilled.
    Have a great time in Japan and look forward to hearing about your trip and seeing your photos.

    Have a safe and fabulous time
    Carolyn

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  37. Wow... Congratulation Arti .. Enjoy the trip , have a great "japan" yatra journey and back home safe :)

    One more don't forget to take many pic because i want to see how japan look like :)

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  38. Have a blast . Hope to go on virtual tour of japan .

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  39. Congratulations Arti! This is wonderful! Wish you a great time at Japan ,and yes do bring us loads of pictures and stories.
    (Because of a health problem I was on a break from my online life).

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  40. Arti I'm so happy for you. I know you're going to have a wonderful trip to Japan. Travel safely! (and congratulations)

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  41. Awesome Arti, you are a true traveller and truly deserve it!! Enjoy Japan and the other place you'd be choosing!

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  42. wow.arti..My heartfel congratulations! enjoy the trip!

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  43. Looking forward to updates from the (impending) yatras, Arti! :) Congratulations for all the awards. You deserve them all. And then some more. :)

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  44. How exciting.

    Of course I wish you all the luck in the world.

    Have fun and we'll see you soon.

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  45. Congratulations and that Kissan Entry was heart warming. Enjoy!

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  46. Congratulations Arti .. Hope the upcoming Yatras bring with itself some really good experiences which I'm sure you'll love sharing with us! Enjoy your trip and have a safe one! :) :)

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  47. Wow! Congratulations and all the best for the trip. I can't wait to read about Japan on Yatra diary. I'm so excited for you. Have a safe trip. Have fun.

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  48. Wish you A verry Happy Journey....Take care, all the Best :)

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  49. congrats...... for your happy journey..

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  50. Dear Arti
    I feel so proud to hear this. I can go around and brag that I know Arti,,,ha ha . Thank you very much for giving us such wonderful writings all the time. I feel good that you will be going to Japan...I really want to see this country..I was in Korea for a long time and just 1 hr away from Japan , but could not make it due to seer laziness... You will love the place ..the safest and beautiful country
    Have a nice weekend

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  51. Congratulations Arti. The reasons why you won are because your writing are beautiful. Well done.

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  52. Enjoy you Yatra and keep us updated about it as well through your blogs.

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  53. Wow, thanks for sharing nice info, i like yours post.

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  54. Hurry!! Congratulations girl!! Was completely surprised.. just jaywalked to your blog thinking it was long since I visited here... but hey, really happy that you won both prizes related to TRAVELLING!! what more can you say, travel-on baby!! :) :)

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  55. Have fun Arti! Most of us had predicted this prize was yours for taking, remember?

    Have a great trip! Looking forward to a sensational epilogue when you reture.

    Cheers!

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  56. Congratulations Arti and all the best
    Wish to see few photographs

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  57. Congratulations arti.. hope to read much about Japan.. its my dream country.. do write in detail about every aspect - culture, people, festivals, art, etc.. have a nice time there... Sayonara!

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  58. Congratulations and have a good time :)

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  59. Congratulations. You deserve the prizes. As you said there is so much good stuff written by Indibloggers that reading itself is a BIG pleasure.
    Have a great trip!

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  60. congratulation have a great trip :)

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  61. Congrats Aarthi! Have a great time :)

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  62. Congrats! :)
    A very happy journey to you!

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  63. safe and happy journey !! all the best wishes
    ~laura xx

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  64. oh this is huge! congratulations Arti. I only wish I could shrink myself down and ride along in your suitcase. Japan, yes one of the most beautiful spots. Oh, I truly look forward to seeing it through your eyes. Safe travels to you.

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  65. How wonderful. Congratulations!

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  66. Congratulations Arti!!! you are such a beautiful soul deserving all this happiness...we will be missing you while you aren't around blogosphere much! do take care on your journey! :-)

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  67. oh wow, congratulations, so happy for you, this is so wonderful and thanks so much for sharing this inspiring experience.

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  68. hey....yipeeee...am so very happy for you Arti...that's a great news...

    congrats and congrats once again for both the wins :P

    regards
    rahul

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  69. @Arti Many many Congratulations.Great.We waiting for read about your Japan Yatra. All the best.Take Care.

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  70. Awesome news Arti! And all the best for Japan! Happy Journey.. Or maybe should I say, Shubh Yatra :)

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  71. My hearty congratulation for winning the titles

    thanks for sharing your experiences...

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  72. Congratulations, Arti! I knew it, the first time I set my eyes and mind in your works through this site, I knew you will go places. Your works are always extraordinary.

    Enjoy your Japan trip. Stay safe. So happy for you. All the best! :)

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  73. यह तो कमाल कर दिया है आपने आरती.....जी
    यू एस टूर से लौटा हूँ.आपके ब्लॉग पर
    आकर आपकी सफलता का सुन्दर समाचार
    पढकर मन प्रसन्नता से भर उठा.

    बहुत बहुत हार्दिक बधाई आपको.

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  74. Wonderful, wonderful news, Arti! Much congratulations on your accomplishments. Can't wait to see Japan through your eyes.

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  75. Hearty congratulations and safe travels! Expecting to hear about the trip!

    God bless
    Love
    Priya

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  76. Dear Arti

    Heartiest Congratulations! You deserve all the success and I am so so happy for you.

    Can't wait to see Japan through your eyes. Wish you a lovely Journey :-)

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  77. Aloha Arti,

    David and I will be in India Nov 1-15 and would like you to dine with us in Delhi on Sunday Nov 4 in the evening.

    I have also invited Kavita, Ruprekha, and Ramakrishnan. So far, Kavita has said yes.

    This dinner will be paid for by David and me. I hope to meet you then.

    My email address is glendahinchey@yahoo.com

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  78. BTW, check out the post about this trip:

    http://gigihawaii.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/travel-this-year/

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  79. lakh lakh badhaiya..

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  80. Oh my my my !!!
    Congratulations Arti, you rightly deserved it.
    I will be waiting for your post about Japan.
    Best Wishes :)

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  81. Wow Arti! This is wonderful!! Congratulations!!! I hope you have an amazing time in Japan- can't wait to read your posts on your adventure in Japan! :)

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  82. Wow! Great . Have a great trip and will check your blog for details of your trip.

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  83. Long time, no post, I hope all is well.

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  84. Great news Arti.. Congratulations..!

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  85. Wow.. That's great... Hearty congratulations on your winnings and for the trip..:)
    Eagerly waiting for your post about the trip to Japan..

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