During our school days, we sisters would eagerly await our vacations and visit to our maternal grandparents in Pune. We cousins would write to each other and plan for these precious days together.

We would be equally excited about the packing and snacks that we would carry with us for the journey. Back in the day , the Mumbai–Pune trip took about 3 to 4 hours. We looked forward to the halt at Lonawala , where we would buy piping hot batata wadas and sabudana wadas from the ST stand canteen. I still crave those batata wadas sometimes. They were not only yummy but the entire  holiday atmosphere added a special something to them. Life than was so simple. Needs were simple.

Apart from those trips the first excursion that I went on through my school was a memorable experience. I was in the fourth standard. We were only three or so from our class. The rest were seniors. Looking back I appreciate my parents courage in sending me. When we grew up mom acknowledged that a lot of people had discouraged them as I was too young. But they had persisted on their decision to allow me.

The journey to Aurangabad, yes that is where we went, is still etched in my mind. Especially the return trip when we halted at a dam in the cold. It was an adventure, especially to an Enid Blyton fan like me. I can still see the hotel we stayed at, in my mind’s eyes. The caves we visited. Hmm.

The first experience of visiting a new place was filled with fun moments and thrills that only a 10 year old can feel at being independent. In charge of my own luggage, repacking it and of course shopping for gifts to bring back.

I bought a saree for mommy dearest (nothing fancy) and a marble Shivlinga. I am actually still smiling as I write this and feeling so happy. That journey laid the foundation for the many to come.

A happy beginning; a successful first.

Childhood memories occupy a special place in the lives of most. Parents or immediate guardians play a significant role in making our childhood special. They are the ones to thank for the carefree moments and experiences that still linger in our heart and to which, we return time and again to rejuvenate or relive those moments.

I cannot thank my parents enough. Of course like all parents they do not ask for it. But it would be insolent of me not to accept that the many holidays that I still cherish were all thanks to them. These holidays were not extravagant or luxurious but they were educational and fun.

It was not possible for all four of us (mom, dad, sis and me) to go to new destinations each holiday. But mom made sure that my sis and I went with our school excursions. They were great experiences, not only for the historical sites we visited, but mainly for the part it played in moulding our personalities.

It inculcated the love that I have for planning holidays, researching the place we plan to visit, packing and the journey and the stay itself. Being passionate about cooking and an avid food lover, it helped me enjoy the local cuisines were possible.

Somewhere along the line, I also became critical about the hotels that we stayed at. I am not very tolerant of sloppy customer service and demand, if not fabulous, at least decent service. At the same time I am appreciative of the little gestures that go into making a customer or visitor feel comfortable.

Time and again I felt I would enjoy writing a review after returning back from these destinations. But not being a disciplined person, it just got sidetracked.

The other day reminiscing about some of the holidays that I have been on since my childhood, I felt writing them down in the form of a blog will help me relive them and share the simple pleasures that these times gave me/us.

Now being married, I go on trips with my DH but I still hold precious a few intermittent trips that we take with my parents.

I hope to capture the exact essence of these trips and also express my thoughts about these places and the valuable experiences that I brought home.