The highlight of our 2009 visit was the Banff-Jasper trip. However, our 2011 and 2014 visits were focused on family, as we welcomed the births of our second and third grandsons during this period. 

In 2013, our sons felt we needed a change. We hadn’t traveled much in over four years, primarily due to the new house construction and all the challenges that came with it. They suggested a trip to Rajasthan, encouraging us to take a well-deserved break. 

We were a bit apprehensive at first. It was the first time my wife and I would be going on a long trip by ourselves, without the company of our sons. But they sponsored the trip and gave us the encouragement we needed to venture out. 

It turned out to be a fantastic journey. We chose to visit two cities in particular—Jaipur and Udaipur. We flew to Jaipur, where the fortified palace in the hills was resplendent. The palace was not only majestic but had innovative ways to maintain the right temperature—warm in winter and cool in summer. The garrison on another hill was equally impressive. 

The old walled city with its charming small shops selling native mirchi pickles, the Hawa Mahal, and the Albert Museum were all great attractions. We also visited a famous movie theatre whose name I’ve since forgotten—it was one of the best we had seen at that time. A side trip to Pushkar and the holy Lord Brahma Temple was a spiritually satisfying experience. 

Udaipur was even more charming. Its old city, with narrow alleys lined with kotis (old-style houses), was a sight to behold. We stayed in the old city just for the unique experience. 

The sunset point on a nearby hill was another great attraction, though the drive up the hill was thrilling—or terrifying—depending on how much courage one had. After a darshan of Lord Jagdish and Devi, we enjoyed a scenic boat ride on Lake Palace. The traditional dharbar folk dance left us so delighted that we watched the performance twice. 

The drive to the Jain Temple, however, was rough. The roads were in poor condition, and the journey took a toll on our backs. But the temple itself was extraordinary, and after the darshan, we enjoyed a simple, tasty lunch at the temple. On the way back, we visited the Rana Pratap Singh Fort. Several five-star hotels had sprung up in the area, but the climb to the top was still strenuous, especially under the sweltering heat. I don’t remember how many steps there were, but despite my impaired vision, my wife skillfully guided me up the long ascent. The view from the top into the valley was breathtaking. 

This trip, and many others like it, proved that even with my vision issues, I could still visit challenging places. 

A similar experience happened during a visit to Yellowstone National Park. There was one particular hike where we kept climbing, and the top seemed elusive. When we finally reached the summit, we had to descend a long flight of stairs. One of my younger son’s friends, who was guiding me, got distracted as we discussed history and podcasts. He forgot to warn me about a sudden descent, and I almost tripped. That experience made me realize how much I relied on my immediate family—they knew exactly what I needed. 

Even now, I continue to visit difficult places on hikes with my wife. But it’s a great strain on her, and I try to be mindful of that. Despite the challenges, we still manage to visit temples regularly. 

One long-held wish of my wife is to visit the Kali Temple in Kolkata, which we haven’t yet been able to fulfill. As for me, one of my dreams has always been to see Mount Everest—though that, too, remains unfulfilled. 

There are still so many places we want to visit. But…

Contd. 390. At The Feet Above The Head