Family Roadtrips

The past few days, I've been on the road with my family in our Toyota Cresta (Innova), visiting temples near Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. But this post is not about the places I visited, but about how this family tradition of road-tripping has strengthened our family bond over the years.

From the time I can remember, we have always enjoyed travelling by private car when going on trips, mostly in South India. The fact that my father loves to drive is a major factor here. Road-tripping offers us a lot of freedom in deciding the pace and particulars of a journey, and it provides more privacy compared to travelling by public transportation, such as buses and trains, or even hiring a taxi.

A lot of catching up and conversations happen in the time we spend inside that car as a family of adults. The topics can range from personal matters and philosophical discussions to humorous storytelling sessions. It is also an opportunity for us to share our personal tastes and interests in music as well, where everyone can play their favourite songs in turn.

The flexibility in deciding when to stop for breaks, where to stay, where to have food, etc., is also a comfort because it allows you to plan according to your health condition at the moment. You can stop the car and take a break when carsick, grab a tender coconut if your stomach doesn't take food well, or decide to start your journey once the morning chill has subsided. In short, you run on your own schedule.

I have always appreciated a train journey for the views of terrains and landscapes it provides. But when travelling in your own car, you can get a closer experience of it. This again brings us to another advantage of road-tripping. Having your own car allows you greater access to local sites that could be far from railway stations or bus stops. There is also the option of taxis, but booking one for every visit and bargaining over fares can steal time and energy, even though that in itself is an experience!

All these highlights of road-tripping are not to say that this is the best way to travel for everyone or for every occasion. It suits us for our present journey because we don't have strict time constraints, require flexibility owing to health issues, and wish to explore new places along with the decided spots. But for someone whose leave doesn't cover these many days and who prefers to visit only their target destination, travelling by train or bus would be perfect. Cost-wise, they can save on petrol, en route accommodations (if any) and tolls.

If you are someone who loves to drive and take your time with a journey, I would recommend road-tripping, but only on the condition that you avoid night driving as much as possible. Many accidents on the road happen because the driver fell asleep for just a split second. But if it is necessary, travel with a companion who can keep you awake through conversations or take turns driving.

In the end, whatever your means of travel, a journey is always a memorable experience, and I wish you many wonderful trips to come this year! Happy and Safe Journey!