Around world, sip by sip
dubai — Is your vacation plan stuck being just that — a plan? Let this Indian couple who has been selling tea for the last 40 years be an inspiration for you then.
Vijayan, 67, and his wife, Mohanna, 65, have been to 17 countries around the globe by just selling tea at a nondescript corner in Ernakulam in the south Indian state of Kerala.
“I want to see the world. That is my desire, my only desire,” said Vijayan, who reached Dubai late last week. “Dubai is like a dream world.” Mohanna added: “Even though we’ve travelled to many countries, Dubai remains my favourite.”
dubai — How many times have you wistfully stared at Instagram pictures of snow-capped mountains, long winding roads, and the Taj Mahal, planning that dream holiday when you ‘have the money for it’? Unlike social media daydreamers, this globe-trotting tea stall owners Vijayan and his wife Mohanna are not waiting to make the “coveted million dollars” before buying that flight ticket to their next dream destination.
Hailing from Ernakulam district in Kerala, the 67-year-old tea seller and his 65-year-old wife are inspirational for travellers everywhere. Owners of the Sree Balaji Coffee House on Salimrajan Road, Ernakulam, the couple said they began travelling only after the finished their duties towards their daughters Sashikala and Asha. “Before that, they would travel only in India… After our daughters were married, we started doing foreign travels,” said Vijayan.
“I want to see the world. That is my desire, my only desire,” he added. The couple has been selling tea for over 40 years, but that didn’t stop them from travelling to so many scenic destinations across the globe. They have travelled to 17 countries across the globe, including Britain, France, Austria, Egypt, Palestine, United States of America, and late last week, they made their way to the UAE for the second time. “We began our travels with the Holy Land tour in 2008. We went to Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, and on our way back, we came to the UAE,” he told Khaleej Times, when on his way to Global Village on Saturday.
The couple visited Dubai Safari, Burj Khalifa, Global Village, Miracle Garden, and some other hot tourist spots. They arrived Dubai on Wednesday and will leave today morning. Speaking about his second trip, Vijayan said: “Dubai is like a dream world. This trip was a wonderful experience, all the towers… I can’t distinguish if it is a dream or a mirage or if it is real indeed.”
The couple solely depends on earnings from the tea stall and don’t have other employees in the stall, which leaves them with more savings for their travels. Mohanna said: “Even though we’ve travelled to so many countries, Dubai remains my favourite. I definitely want to come back to see the place.”
The couple usually only take package tours, since it is less expensive and safer as well. Rashid Abbas, managing director, international operations, Arooha Tours, who sponsored their trip said: “We’re very inspired by their travels, and that’s why we decided to sponsor this trip.”