There are some years that just stand out in our memories of travel. It may be the first time we tried something new to eat, a new experience, an unforgettable stay, memorable encounters or just an other-worldly destination. 2021 was such a year for me. In many ways, it was my first year of travel, not because I haven't travelled before, but I have never taken all my travel decisions based on the comfort of a tiny human sitting in my lap. Nor have I travelled so freely, enjoying the beauty in the smallest things which I often took for granted, but when seen through the eyes of a baby, they seem so wonderful and awe inspiring.
These are some of my favourite travel memories of 2021:
1. I looked at the lights with stars in my eyes(Yercaud, Salem)
His first weekend trip was to Yercaud at 2.5 months. He slept through the roadtrip, and also through most of the sightseeing we did. He did wake up for a pose at Lady's seat though.
But the main highlight of the trip was our stay at Radisson Salem. When we brought him into the lobby lit with bright lights, his crying abated instantly, and he gazed at them with such wonder in little eyes, that I understood the meaning of starstruck for the first time. They also had a toyshop which was a riot of colors, and he had a gala time looking at things he had never seen before.
On this trip, I saw how light and colour instantly brighten up our mood and our life, and how much we take them for granted that we barely notice them!
2. Love at First Flight(Delhi)
His first flight was at age 3.5 months when we took him from Bangalore to Delhi to meet his grandparents. I was terrified, because he was so tiny and it was a long flight, and I was afraid that if he started bawling at the top of his lungs, I would not be able to comfort him.
But he loved the airport(again bright lights). He looked intently at the people. His favourite was when people smiled at him, and made eye contact. He had learnt to respond by then, and on this trip I understood how much difference a simple smile can make in your life's journey! A smile that we are often stingy to Dole out to others, even though it's free but expect it from others at every occasion.
3. Rain Makes Me Come Alive(Devaramane)
When he was 9.5 months old, we went to stay at a coffee plantation in Hassan(just bordering Chikmagalur) for 2 days. This was the first time we took him out after he started eating solids. I was clueless how to handle him on the trip, especially the meals, but he ate rawa idli for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. He played football in the chilling rain, and looked with amazement at the green environs of the plantation.
But the best part of the trip was visiting Devaramane. It was spectacular to see the mountains carpeted in green, spreading as far as the eyes could see. But when we reached the view point, it started raining so I stayed inside with my baby. Soon our window was covered in raindrops, and he forgot that he didn't like being cooped up in the car. He just stood on the seat next to the window, and ran his little fingers up and down, trying to feel those drops, giggling intermittently, and looking at the window changing from transparent to translucent in utter amazement. We also took him on a short hike to a sunset point.
On this trip, I learnt to enjoy the wonder that is rain. As a child, and even as an adult I loved the rain and never left an opportunity to get drenched, but over the years I stopped enjoying it as much. That day, not only my baby's eyes, but also my eyes were filled with amazement at the wonder that is raindrops!
4. The Sea set me free(Goa)
This is definitely my favourite travel memory of 2021. It's always a defining moment to see the sea for the first time in your life. We planned a trip to Goa when my baby was 10.5 months old. We were wondering how he'd react to the sea, because he loves water as most babies do.
He just took to water like a duck, and totally loved dipping his little feet in water. In fact, he got completely drenched in Agonda beach, and started howling every time we took him away from the water!
It was music to my ears to hear his little giggles whenever his feet touched the water. I realised that there was no fear, no thought in his mind except that the water set him free...that the water was fun!
We also took him on a small hike to see a lighthouse, where he got his first proposal(a friend of ours), and looked so shyly as though he really understood what was happening.
5. Nature wears the colours of my Spirit (Sakleshpur)
A week before his first birthday, we took our baby on a weekend trip to Sakleshpur. The beautiful vistas at every bend were a treat for sore eyes. But my baby's favourite was trying to pet the 2 dogs that were roaming around our Homestay. He has seen dogs on the road, and heard them bark. But this was his first close encounter,and he thought the real dog is similar to a stuffed toy! I am really scared of dogs but he had no fear in his eyes...He also loved smelling the roses and touching them, though my heart was in my mouth that he should not get pricked by a thorn.
That's when I was reminded that fear comes much later in life...with information, social ties, and experience. A baby is free...free of all ties that bind him to be a particular way, and free to explore the world without fear...
So these are my favourite travel memories from 2021. All the destinations I visited were picturesque, I stayed in amazing places, had sumptuous food, but nothing beats the seeing my baby's eyes light up with his first travel experiences.
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