Some memories of travels of days gone by – 1960 – 1975

Why the Nostalgia? A recent mail from Nandan Jha of “Ghumakkar.com” informed me that he is re-posting one of my six-year old story viz. “Doing Nothing in Fagu”. The story was re-published recently. In-fact, in those days I had written few stories about our holidays and travel which were published at Ghumakkar. I think being the oldest (age-wise) contributor at that time, Nandan was generous & appreciative enough to gift me a very nice Reebok Ghumakkar shirt.

Since then I have not written any post as our travelling had almost reduced to zero. But his recent missive, inspired me to make another effort to do a post .Moreover my TV is conked off ,so I have lot of free time away from “Arnab and Company” debates. I am also in the process of writing first installment of my trip to London in 1958. Hope it gets completed.

Why only Photographic memories?
The title of this blog says “Holiday-Travel of Days Gone By!” and our holiday travel started around 1966. That’s almost 50 years ago! Our first trip, by Jeep ,was to Kulu valley and Rhotang PassI At that time there was no road beyond Kothi to Rohtang. And we stopped at the rest house at Kothi. Our elder son was six and younger was just one year old.

Can you guess the date of our arrival at Kothi ? You perhaps were not even born then, neither was Ghumakkar nor internet! October 30, 1966 was the day we jeeped at KOTHI.!

Only pictures because I do not have my log-Books anymore with me to write the detailed post. And that also I have only few prints, but hundreds of 35mmand120film negatives. Remember there were no Digital Cameras. Still we were all interested and to know our INDIA.

My wife and I, with two little sons came back from London, after six years, and had a job with Rallis India for three years. Then I got into advertising and joined OGILVY, BENSON&MATHER (OBM), now known as O&M.

We did this tour of Southern India. We had a major problem language. No one on the buses spoke or understood English. They just got the name of the town where we wanted to go, gave us the ticke,picked up the right fare from my wifes hand. I think the travel was quite cheap by these buses. Ticket never used to be more than Rs. 3.Travelling in South was like our travel through Italy,France, Switzezerland till we reached London, like home. That was 1958. This trip was made by Public Transport, and only my wife and I were touring. Children were left with grandparents.

Here is a picture of Tamil Nadu Bus Service on which we travelled in South to places like Chidramabram, Tanjore Ooty, Kodai and Tripati. This is on way to Tirupati.

The HUT picture. Its a very popular and Must stop for buses on way to Tirupati.Excellent coffe and idlis. It was about 20 minutes stop.

Fortunately, both these companies offered fully –paid free holidays for the family, once a year! In-fact the perk included free stay anywhere India at hotels of TAJ and Oberois. So when we were travelling in South by Tamil Nadu bus service, we stayed at TAJ Hotel at Madurai

And while going to Madras from Cochin we were one of the first few families to enjoy the hospitality of TAJ at the newly opened “The Fisherman’s Cove”.

On the other hand, at Tanjor, we stayed in a temple priests hut, as there were no hotels at the time we arrived there. And had a morning bath at the well, before leaving for Chidambram by bus(.If you have not been to Tanjore, You have not seen anything!)

Here comes a pic of the Enterance to Tiruchirapalli temple,from the main road. The place is famous for Chrrots (Cigars).Shops outside sell these pretty cheap. Trichnapali Chtoots are known.

From Kodai to Ooty, we fell back on grand old vehicle of India, the Amby.

From my memories, the one I still cherish is the 10 gm Gold Signet of BALAJI from the shop inside the Tirupati temple. Price of 10 gm 24 carrot Rs1770

On way to Madras and Tirupati. (This trip by buses to South was in JUNE1983. Please see the photo of picture post card posted by us to our son.

Our trip to Jog Falls, Mysore, Ooty, Kodai, Sherwanorbagola, Coorg by our Herald Car was in June1973—still the days gone by! In Mysore we stayed with my wife’s brother who was working for ESSO. One thing we remember is that a man used to come early morning to the house and bring his cow with him. He will milk the cow in our presence and deliver the milk –bucket-full.

The experience of travelling with two young kids, in Karnataka is unforgettable. Sudden rain and nallas flooded, nil visibility, nowhere near township. Lucklily company like Transport Corporation of India(TCI) and their depots on roadside offered great hospitality for the night. In-fact, late VPAggerwal, head of TCI was my client while I was in advertising agency in Bombay.

Travel to Hills in the North
While travel to south was mainly when I was working in Bombay, the travel to hill in north has mostly originated from GURGAON after we moved here on the X-Mas day of1999—just before the millineum. To Mukteshwar, Shimla (we first went to Shimla in1973), Mcleod Ganj, Nanital, Ranikhet et al
FINAL WORD of an Old Ghumakkar

Well,it was supposed to be memories by pictures, but it seems to have more words than the pictures. I wonder if this ,first &final draft,passes the muster of Shri Nandan Jha for posting on www.ghumakkar.com.And the number of pictures he can squeeze in. I hope this post makes more of you to travel and enjoy your country. Build memories, like me,for your grand children and yourself.