Sri Lanka : A Shared Journey

We are all travellers in our own way. Even when we think we are standing still, life keeps moving us forward. But travelling together with people we barely knew before adds a beautiful twist to the journey.

Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean, brought us together as one travel family. Someone once wisely said, “Those who belong to the same fractal will eventually meet and travel together.” I find truth in that thought. This journey felt preordained.

Madhuri and I were meant to be part of this group, and Sanjeev became the thread that stitched us all together into one shared adventure. People arrived from Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Greater Noida and many other places. We came from different cities, different lives but travelled together from India to Sri Lanka.

It all began even before the flight. During coordination meetings over plates of chole bhature, where laughter did the bonding. Then came UL 192 at Terminal 3 and finally our touchdown at Bandaranaike Airport, Colombo. From the youngest among us, Abhinav, to the wise and spirited 70-plus travellers, we all arrived as one group.

The warm welcome with blue garlands by Ranjith, the group photo at the airport and our comfortable stay at Sofia set the tone for what was to come. From Colombo to Dambulla, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, the journey has unfolded like a well-written story.

I strongly believe that every person carries a story which is rich, layered, shaped by their own life pilgrimage. Some people bring humour, some bring grace, some bring energy and some bring quiet strength. Together, they create a beautiful blend like spices in a well brewed cup of aromatic tea. What truly stays with us is the shared laughter, the care and the simple joy of being together.

Certain moments(so far) will stay etched in my heart forever…

Mrs. Bhatia gently holding Col Bhatia’s hand as he climbed the temple steps.

Col Kapur pausing, missing his loved one during the ferry ride to the Hanuman Temple.

Kavita ma’am lifting tired spirits after the Dambulla waterfall trek with her soothing, angelic voice.

And Sanjeev, calm and patient, managing roll calls and logistics with quiet dedication.

Each of us will return home with new memories and add a fresh chapter to our personal travel books. As for me, I continue to do what I have always done. To capture the beauty around me through my camera and sharing my blogs of shared experiences. All my life, I’ve been drawn to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.

This journey is still unfolding, but at 3:18 a.m., with tired eyes and a glowing phone screen, I felt an urge to pause and write. I’ve been awake since 2:30 a.m., typing slowly, feeling like an “ullu” trying to see clearly in the dark but my thoughts are wide awake, flowing freely.

Storytelling has always been part of our growing up. It began with Dadi and Nani’s bedtime tales, moved on to Panchatantra stories filled with quiet wisdom and later found its way into fauji conversations. The familiar “arre, hamare time mein…” stories shared over tea and laughter.

As life unfolded, stories deepened. They became accounts of courage, of personal loss, silent suffering, setbacks and the strength to stand up again. Each story added a new shade of colour to what might otherwise seem like an ordinary life.

I often find myself listening to elders, thinking I’ve seen my share of challenges. But their lived experiences offer a sharp wake-up call. In comparison, I realise how naïve it is to believe that my struggles were the hardest. Boy, you are still a kid.

There are people whose journeys through adversity, resilience and quiet bravery are far more powerful than anything I have faced. And so, I keep listening. I keep learning. Every story humbles me and makes my own life richer.

Before I rest, I share these words and a few exclusive clicks from our journey so far. More stories will follow… because this travelogue is far from complete.

In case you do read and like the blog and clicks leave a comment(with your name). It will keep inspiring me to click and write more. 

🌿📸✨