Hello, dear friends!
I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood. Today’s writing prompt is quite adventurous: “You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?“
This reminded me of my very first overseas trip, an experience I cherish even today.
I am sharing my travel memoir, “My First Trip Abroad.” Since it’s long and detailed, I will present it in parts for your enjoyment.
Your unwavering support and appreciation for my blogs mean the world to me, and I sincerely thank you all for it.
Sometimes, when we reflect on moments from our past, certain experiences stand out—ones we wish to share with friends.
Today, I am sharing one such memorable journey.
The Decision to Travel
Six years ago, I was about to retire from my banking career. It was time for me to avail of my final Leave Fare Concession (LFC) from the bank—a golden opportunity to travel either within India or abroad at the bank’s expense.
My children were eager for an international trip, but I was hesitant. The reason? I have never been fond of flying.
Short flights between Delhi and Mumbai were manageable, but the thought of spending six or more hours on a plane terrified me. I kept trying to avoid the trip, but my children were persistent.
Finally, I had to give in to their enthusiasm. To calm my nerves, I reasoned with myself: “If so many people fly daily without fear, why should I be the only one scared?”
Summoning my courage, I submitted my LFC request, which was approved without delay.
Our travel itinerary was set for 14 days, covering Malaysia and Singapore along with domestic visits to Mumbai and Bhuj (Gujarat).
My family, especially my younger son, was thrilled. We quickly began our preparations. Since it was the month of June, we packed light, avoiding unnecessary baggage.
An Ominous Start
The excitement was high as we left for Kolkata Airport in a friend’s car. However, just two kilometers into our journey, an unexpected incident occurred—a cat crossed our path!
Our driver instinctively hit the brakes hard. Though the car stopped safely, my heartbeat raced. I had already been apprehensive about the trip, and this superstitious omen made me even more uneasy.
I tried to convince my family to switch to a domestic destination, but they were adamant: “We can travel within India anytime, but an international trip is a unique experience—especially when it’s covered by the bank!”
With a nervous heart, I stepped into Kolkata Airport. We bid farewell to the driver, completed our check-in formalities, and entered through Gate No. 4.
It was 7:00 PM, but our flight was scheduled for 11:00 PM on June 25, 2017.
A Turbulent Journey
As we waited at the airport, I kept replaying the cat incident in my mind. My family chatted excitedly, while I silently prayed for a smooth journey.
At 10:00 PM, the flight announcement was made, and we proceeded through security checks before boarding.
While other passengers settled comfortably into their seats, I found myself unable to relax. My fears heightened when, midway through the flight, turbulence hit. The plane shook violently, and my heart pounded in terror.
A flight attendant’s announcement reassured passengers: “Please fasten your seatbelts. We are experiencing rough weather.”
I peeked outside the window, but all I could see was pitch darkness. It was past midnight, and our plane was navigating through stormy clouds. I held onto my seat tightly, continuously whispering prayers. Thankfully, after a while, the turbulence subsided.
After nearly seven hours in the air, we finally landed safely in Singapore. As per my watch, it was 4:30 AM, but in Singapore’s time zone, it was already 7:00 AM.
The sun had already begun to rise, painting the sky with a golden glow.
The Arrival Mix-Up
Exhausted yet excited, we stepped into the waiting lounge, expecting our tour vehicle to pick us up.
According to our itinerary, a driver would escort us to our hotel. However, as minutes passed, no one arrived. After 30 minutes, worry began to creep in.
We attempted to call our tour operator but soon realized that our mobile network lacked international calling services. Left with no choice, we sent a message and waited anxiously for a response.
Finally, a reply came: “Your driver has been searching for you for over an hour!”
Perplexed, I looked around when a man approached me and asked, “Are you Vijay Verma?”
I nodded, relieved. Then, I noticed another man standing nearby, whom I had seen earlier repeatedly asking for a Rajesh Kumar. Confused, I asked the driver about the mix-up. He chuckled and said, “Let me explain on the way.”
As we boarded the mini-bus, I learned that my fellow traveler, Rajesh Kumar, was from Ranchi.
Due to his delayed flight, the tour company had mistakenly given his name to the driver assigned to us. This led to the confusion and delay.
With the mystery solved, I finally relaxed. Our adventure had just begun, and little did I know that this trip would be one of the most memorable experiences of my life. (To be continued…)
BE HAPPY… BE ACTIVE… BE FOCUSED… BE ALIVE
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Categories: infotainment
Retiredकलम 
very nice .
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Thank you so much.
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A foreign‑policy civil war inside the American right
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Thank you so much.
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What a beautifully narrated beginning to a journey! Your storytelling made the entire experience come alive—the nervousness before the flight, the turbulence in the sky, and the confusion at the airport. It felt like I was travelling along with you. Looking forward to reading the next part of this memorable adventure.
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Thank you so much for your generous and thoughtful comment. I’m really glad the beginning of the journey resonated with you and that the emotions of the flight, the turbulence, and the airport moments came across vividly.
Travel stories often carry a mix of excitement and uncertainty, and I’m happy that you felt as if you were part of the experience.
I truly appreciate your encouragement and hope you will enjoy the next part of the adventure as well. 😊
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You remind me of late dad. He developed a plane phobia. But his fear was not irrational. He had a near-crash experience. After that, he never wanted to fly. We would just take a ship (my country is an archipelago) to travel from our hometown to the capital city and back.
So it’s so brave of you to have conquered your fear even with that ominously cursed cat. I hope the kitty survived though. But kudos to you! Your love of family was greater than your fear of flying. That’s a real family man right there.
In your selfie inside the aircraft cabin, you do look like a frequent flyer with that bright smile. 🙂
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Thank you so much for sharing that memory about your late dad. Experiences like a near-crash can leave a deep mark on anyone’s mind, so his fear was completely understandable. Choosing to travel by ship instead shows how he found his own way to stay connected with family and keep moving despite that fear. In a way, that’s courage too—just expressed differently.
And yes, that “ominously cursed cat” made the whole situation feel even more dramatic at the time! Thankfully the kitty survived, so at least the story has a gentle ending there. 😊
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This is a cool memoir. I have never been good at Journaling. Is it a nice job especially talking about your fears? It’s refreshing to hear that is something I never had and I kind of wish I did, Because I think I took travel for granted for a while thus the scant journaling?
Including the entire family is contagious. Our kids have it as well. Thank you for sure
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Thank you for such a thoughtful reflection. I completely understand what you mean about journaling—it doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and for a long time I didn’t think much about writing things down either. Sometimes we only realize later how valuable those small notes and memories can be.
Writing about fears can feel a little strange at first, but it can also be surprisingly freeing. Putting those experiences into words somehow makes them easier to understand, almost like having a quiet conversation with yourself. And when someone else reads it and connects with it, that makes the effort even more meaningful.
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What a wonderfully detailed and heartfelt travel memoir, Verma ji! Your storytelling transported me right into that airport lounge and onto that turbulent flight with you. I could feel your anxiety about flying, the ominous moment with the cat crossing your path (our desi superstitions are so strong!), and that wave of relief when you finally landed safely in Singapore.
The arrival mix-up was the perfect touch of chaos that makes travel stories so authentic and relatable. It’s those unexpected moments—the delayed driver, the mistaken identity, the confusion—that become the most memorable parts of any journey. I love how you’ve captured both the fear and the excitement of that first overseas adventure.
Your courage to overcome your fear of flying for your family’s sake is truly admirable. And how wonderful that the bank’s LFC scheme gave you this golden opportunity! Many of us can relate to that initial hesitation followed by the realization that stepping out of our comfort zone leads to the most rewarding experiences.
I’m eagerly waiting for the next installment! Please share more about your Malaysian and Singapore adventures—the sights, the food, the cultural discoveries. Your warm, conversational writing style makes us feel like we’re right there with you on this journey.
Thank you for sharing these precious memories with us. 🙏✨
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Thank you so much for your wonderfully warm and encouraging words. I’m truly delighted that the story made you feel as if you were right there in the airport lounge and on that rather turbulent flight with me. Your mention of the cat made me smile—our desi superstitions do have a remarkable way of appearing exactly when our nerves are already on edge!
You’re absolutely right about those unexpected moments during travel. At the time they often feel confusing or stressful, but later they become the most vivid and memorable parts of the journey. That little mix-up at the airport was one such moment that I certainly won’t forget.
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