MY ADVENTURES IN 2024…..

During this time last year we were talking to friends and Vinay blithely and with great authority announced that I had been on  8 holidays in the year. I didn’t say anything at the time but in my mind I thought it was a slight exaggeration and of course me being me couldn’t sleep that night so in the end I got up and went through my photo gallery. After all, if I have gone on a holiday the best place to check is my gallery. I was happy to find that I had only been on 5 holidays. Now five is a decent number so I am not complaining but it is way less than eight so please get your facts right before announcing things to all and sundry! In the morning I showed him my findings and then I went on to make an announcement…. In 2024 I was going to travel every month just to make up for his previous faux pas!!! It was probably just an excuse to justify my love of travelling but it was really handed to me on a platter so I grabbed it with both hands. 

January …. The year started with a bang as it was my sister Suman’s 70th birthday and she very kindly invited the whole family to Goa. She was so excited and keen that we all go that everyone got into the spirit and we all set off for a fun packed three days in Goa. She had booked us beautiful villas and arranged all the restaurants for lunch, dinner and after parties. We oldies used to make it to the dinner part and then gracefully retire leaving the kids to their own devices. A good time was had by all

February…. My friend Tara and I were chatting and we both said that we would like to go to Benares and I was especially keen on witnessing the Ganga Aarti there as I had had a taste of it during Aradhana’s engagement. Before we knew it we became a group of six people and we dashed off for a short and sweet trip. We covered all the religious aspects and had time left to get our fill of the delicious Benarsi Chaat.

Towards the end of this month discussions started with some other close friends who we normally go on holiday with at least once a year and for the past few years the destination of choice has been Goa. Since Covid, Goa has been one of our favourite holidaying spots so despite having just been in January we were game to go again. We used to go for our morning walks everyday by the beach and just enjoy the lovely unpolluted atmosphere. Daytimes were just relaxing by the pool and playing cards. We learnt a new game called “chakri” and it was great fun. The time just flew by and before we knew it our holiday was over. 

March…This cannot really be counted as a holiday but since I left Kolkata I guess technically it can. My Uncle Satish suddenly passed away and we flew to Mumbai for one last glimpse of him. The only good thing was that I got to meet quite a few of my other close relatives who also came to pay their last respects. I made another short trip to Mumbai in March to visit my Sevita Massi. I was very close to her and spoke to her pretty much every day and she reminded me totally of my mother. 

April…. I went with Rashi, Saurav and the kids to Dubai. It was great fun because I went with my grandchildren after a long time and they were so loving and caring….always making sure I was ok and helping me up steps and things. Mind you…it was quite exhausting as kids have boundless energy and never seem to get tired but I had a fantastic time. 

May…..I went to Greece with 3 of my girlie friends and we really had a blast. We managed to pack in a lot and yet still had time to just relax, chill and laugh. It truly was a fantastic experience and I must thank my friends for making it a holiday of a lifetime. 

June/July… I am cheating a bit here as we were supposed to go at the end of June but had to change our tickets at the last minute so actually went on the 1st July..so if  you are splitting hairs then yes I didn’t go anywhere in June but then you get my gist. I went on my annual trip to Manchester and Vinay came with me this year so that was special. We did all the usual things we do in Manchester and Hemu and Jijajee looked after us as they always do!

August… Again this was a trip I wish I didn’t have to take. Sevita Massi fell ill again and I always feel it’s better ( if possible)to go and visit a loved one when they are alive than after they pass. I went and spent a day with her and she talked to me and of course asked me if I had eaten lunch…the sisters loved feeding everyone! I was happy that I had met her but sad that she didn’t have long and she did actually pass a short time later. I really miss our morning phone conversations. 

September….A close friend of mine has an apartment in Bangkok so it didn’t take much persuasion for myself and  two more friends to make a trip there and stay with her. It was a lovely experience staying at home and we all relaxed  and were truly pampered by Praks and of course Shanti!

October…. Vinay realised that I was more or less managing to stick to my wish list so he suggested that we go to the Maldives to ensure that I fulfil it. I would say that this is probably our absolute best holiday destination so me with my”have bags,will travel” happily agreed. Despite raining pretty much the whole time and almost cyclonic weather one day we had a fantastic holiday…what can you not like in the Maldives?

November….So, after all this travelling I thought I had better give my mind and body a much needed rest so I went with Rashi to Atmantan…a wellness resort. It was a nice five day break away from all the hustle and bustle but if you ask me truthfully I still prefer my ‘proper’ holidays!!!

December…We were all booked to go to two weddings in Udaipur. Now this is one place I have never been so I was super excited but the only problem was that there was a weeks gap in between the weddings and although initially we had planned on travelling around Rajasthan and visiting a few of our other properties we both realised that with our rather iffy backs we were just asking for trouble. So with much regret we had to cancel our plans which killed me as I had even sat down and labelled all my clothes according to which wedding and which function I would wear them too. Sometimes I am a bit too organised is what my daughter will be saying to herself!! Rather that then throwing clothes into a suitcase one hour before we have to leave!! So basically we broke my holidaying streak in December but I I love this time of the year at home as I get the whole Christmas vibe going with the tree up and shopping for presents for the family. I am in my happy space watching corny Christmas movies on Netflix( do these small towns actually exist in America with their snow clad homes and everyone smiling and falling in love???). 

So… all in all I’ve had a very eventful 2024 and to say that it has flown by would be an understatement. I have enjoyed my travels thoroughly… ticked off a few things and places from my bucket list and look forward to 2025 with great excitement! Let the New Year begin!!!