Ahmedabad and Dasada Trip - 4 days

The boy had an exciting and educational trip with a well-rounded itinerary, filled with diverse experiences and hands-on learning. Here's a summary of the trip:

DAY 1: Edutour Kick-Off

- Flight from Bangalore to Ahmedabad: The journey began with a flight to Ahmedabad, followed by a transfer to Dasada.

- Ice-breakers & Journaling: The trip started with an introduction and ice-breaker activities to help everyone get to know each other. The boy also spent time journaling his experiences.

- Afternoon Safari: The highlight of the day was an afternoon safari to the Little Rann of Kutch, where the boy explored salt pans and observed the unique ecosystem of the area.

DAY 2: Medieval Architecture & Traditional Arts

- Modhera Sun Temple: The group visited the Modhera Sun Temple, known for its stunning architecture, and participated in a sundial-making workshop.

- Cook-off Challenge: The students took part in a fun cook-off challenge, adding an interactive element to the day's activities.

- Traditional Arts Workshops: The boy learned about local crafts through hands-on experiences, including a beading workshop and a Lippan art workshop, where he engaged in the region’s traditional art forms.

DAY 3: Exploring Ahmedabad

- Sabarmati Ashram: The group visited the Sabarmati Ashram, where the boy learned about its historical significance and the role it played in India’s freedom struggle.

- Amul Plant: The trip continued with a visit to the Amul Plant, offering insights into India's White Revolution and the dairy industry.

- Cultural Immersion at Vishala: In the evening, the group experienced a vibrant cultural immersion at Vishala, likely a traditional village setting, where the boy could learn about local culture and cuisine.

DAY 4: Science City & Edutour Conclusion

- Team Games: The day began with engaging team games, allowing the students to bond and collaborate with one another.

- Science City: The boy visited Science City in Ahmedabad, exploring the robotics gallery and the space exploration exhibit, learning about cutting-edge scientific advancements.

- Gratitude & Reflection Session: The trip concluded with a gratitude and reflection session, allowing the boy to reflect on his experiences and lessons learned.

- Flight back to Bangalore: The group then flew back to Bangalore, marking the end of an enriching and educational trip.

Overall, the trip combined history, culture, science, art, and hands-on learning in a way that was both fun and educational. The boy not only enjoyed the experience but also gained a deeper understanding of the world around him.

Vietnam Trip

The boy had a good 12 day trip to Vietnam. Walked a lot tried out the Veg / Vegan Vietnamese cuisines and didn't complain. Broadly covered Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An and Hanoi.

School Trip

So yesterday we dropped the boy for his Pench school trip. 5 am flight to Nagpur and a bus from there. Some 40 children from his Grade. This is the first time he has been away from us (sleepover in neighbor's apartment does not count :)) It was a bit surreal and mixed emotions. Watching him walk away with a backpack and trolley suitcase to board his flight. The scene may happen again and who knows he may go away for higher studies once school is done. I think it was a good emotional drill :) He will be back on Saturday night. The house feels quiet. There is a some relief that I have a kind of routine back, but yeah I miss him.

Karaikudi Trip

 And the boy had a good time exploring the place.

Yercaud Trip

 And the boy got a chance to feed an Ostrich!

Cardamom House Trip

 The boy had a lovely trip to this place. Walked a lot, played, chatted.

Chennai Trip

 

We visited the Crocodile Park, the Dinosaur Museuem and Surf Turf in Kovalam.

Road Trip

With 2 other families we went on a trip to Chikmagalur. We had the homestay all to ourselves. It was peaceful and the boy had things to do that kept him occupied. We also trekked and the boy climbed Mullayanagiri in the freezing and windy conditions wearing only shorts!

 

A quick road trip to Chennai to surprise the boy's aunt on her birthday. Both were thrilled to see each other. The dinner gathering was memorable with nice people and food. 

The view from the aunt's home

 

Quick trip

The boy and wife have been in Chennai for the past 2 weeks. With the cases rising, KA had announced a probable lockdown starting April. I quickly drove to Chennai and we all came back.

Trip

A road trip to Chennai to meet the in-laws and friends. The boy enjoys these trips as he has no rules at in-laws. 

We went out for lunch and he took his time to eat and explore the place. 

Another trip

A quick drive to Chennai and back to meet up with the wife's friend and her daughter. The children loved the beach!

Trip

We went on a 5 family trip to Bandipur and the presence of other children kept the boy busy. He accompanied us to 2 safaris - one was super cold and the other one rained out. Good number of sightings. He had an opportunity to use his binoculars and one of his lower tooth which was shaking, came off.

Goa

And the boy had a good trip to Goa. The drive was long both ways, but he say through it.

He did not fuss much about food and loved the beach. One particular day he went from the beach to the swimming pool and then to the bath tub.

Pench Kanha

Trip to Pench and Kanha

The boy had his second visit to a national park. He managed it well, didn't fuss too much. We went through 4 safaris. He got up early and was ready for them. Although half way through the safari he fell asleep.

Year end vacation.

The boy had a wonderful vacation in Kasaragod. He went to beach on all the days, ate the local food and did not throw much of a fuss.

Hyderabad trip and lost tooth

The boy had a good time in Hyderabad with IIR and DS last weekend. Played in the pool, ran around, bit of TV, ate decently, fought/became jealous with Ia and some tantrums. At the end of it he did not want to come back to Blr.

After a gap of 2 weeks he went to school yesterday and lost his first tooth. The already chipped tooth had started shaking in the morning and by his bed time it was out. The boy was shocked by the blood and all and with his strong belief in the tooth fairy, he kept it under the pillow. The wife replaced it with a 5 Rs coin (closest in resemblance to a gold coin).
Today morning he got up quickly and was thrilled to find the coin. Whoever he met, he told them about the tooth and the coin.

UK Trip

The boy had a 1 month trip to UK.

While the wife and the boy went first, I joined them after 3 weeks and we flew back together.

I was apprehensive but he handled himself well. No major tantrums, walked a lot, overcame the fear of doing new things to a certain extent and got used to the idea of having dogs around. Food was bit of a challenge as he did not like the cheese in that country.

His aunt spoiled him and his toy collection increased. We also did a 10 day road trip and the boy behaved well. He also navigated a bit. At 2 places he got a medal and he was thrilled.

Overall a wonderful trip.

Taking a walk at Lands End

Top Slip

A short trip Top Slip. The boy had many things to say during the drive :-
"I am really excited to be a dad when I grow up. You know what I will name my son? Shark!"
"I am really worried. What if I drive fast and crash?"
The wife - "Dont worry you have good genes"
"You mean if I wear jeans and drive, I won't crash?"
In a traffic jam - "Whatever happens, happens for a good reason"

Family wedding and the aunt arrives

"When I grow big, I can do anything. You people will be old!", the boy proclaimed.

Hennessey Venom is his new craze because his teacher at school told him that it is faster than a Bugatti Veyron. The boy has been saving money in his piggy bank to buy a Bugatti. Now with this new information, he wondered how much more he has to save :)

We did a road trip to hometown to attend a family wedding. The boy's aunt was also visiting and he was so excited to see her.  I suspect it had to do more with the gifts she had brought. It was a good family get together.  He didn't eat much at the wedding. I loved the wedding lunch.

He has learnt to brush his teeth on his own.

Talk about the love for his mentor and guide Ah. There was a funny incident when he refused to get up in the morning citing his leg was paining. The moment he heard Ah  had called he jumped out of the bed, brushed his teeth, drank milk and asked me to drop him in Ah's house. No pain, all gain.