Thane: Age seems to be just another number for a growing number of senior citizens in lake-city, who have been constantly packing up their bags and exploring the plethora of cultures, architecture, cuisines and overall experiences across national boundaries to make the most of their free time.
While most of this section 60-year-old-plus denizens have always had the passion for travel and adventure, many put their personal travel goals on hold till they completed their career and family obligations.
With their children now grown up, office hours long gone and an abundance of time at hand, this elderly community is now leaving no stone unturned to complete their bucket lists. Eighty Two-year-old Sushama Pongurlekar, one such feisty resident of Pokhran Rd 1 area who recently added Kenya to her list of foreign trips, said, “I have always loved travelling, especially in places close to nature. While I have been to various parts of India, the US, the gulf, Singapore and Thailand over the past few decades, the animal safari in Kenya took the cake, as I stayed with the tribal community and got the authentic experience there.”
While these senior citizens believe that constantly travelling is the best way for them to experience the cultures, make friends and break cultural myths, they feel that keeping busy in these interesting tours also helps them keep away from negativity, depression and illness.
Retired Colonel Dr NV Surange (80) one such Hiranandani Estate resident, said, “I was constantly transferred across various cities and thus fell in love with visiting new places and making new friends. However, I didn’t travel much till my children completed their careers and got married.”
While most members of this elderly community often approach tourism companies for their trips, a few rare grey-haired adventure enthusiasts still look for a certain level of thrill in their vacation plans.
“My husband and I have always been avid trekkers and we knew the Sahyadris very well. As he started a business and I got a job, the trips were pushed to every weekend and we even began trekking up the Himalayas. However, since our retirement, we have had more time and thus travelling and trekked globally to the Matterhorn glacier in the Alps, Angkor Wat caves in Cambodia, etc,” said 66-year-old Sumita Dighe.