Our member Mr. K. Kr Datta reminisces about a final journey with his beloved wife—a trip to the UK and Ireland, through memories of long walks in Dublin’s green parks and a magical evening on the Thames.

Just before my wife left us for her heavenly abode, I had the good fortune of travelling with her to the UK and Ireland. Our son, who lives in Dublin with his wife, flew us down to last September. On that trip, we visited London, Edinburgh, and of course, Ireland.
The weather was extremely pleasant—we caught the fag end of summer. Dublin was green and beautiful. The balmy evenings were perfect for long walks through the city’s many parks. It isn’t dusty or polluted, nor are there bothersome insects, so it really is possible to just walk for hours. The city is dotted with so many green spaces, it often felt like we were strolling through a wooded countryside.
London, though, was exceptional. We landed at Luton airport and took a taxi to a homestay near the historic Lord’s cricket ground—the very spot where Sourav Ganguly famously waved his jersey from the balcony. I took a walk around the stadium, soaking in the history and energy of the place.
My wife was vegetarian, and it was a bit of a challenge to find food for her. We ended up cooking many of our meals in the kitchen of our homestay, and on other occasions, we searched out places that offered vegetarian options. One day, we visited “Chourangi”, a well-known eatery near Oxford Circus. The restaurant’s theme was Kolkata nostalgia, with photographs of Pather Panchali and Durga Puja adorning the walls. Though many of the waiters were Bengali, none of them were speaking the language. One of them noticed our hesitation over the menu. He came up to us and spoke gently to my wife in Bengali, calling her kakima (aunty). He suggested dishes for us, and they even prepared a meal for her without onion and garlic. It was such a kind and thoughtful gesture—it meant the world to us.
One of the most unforgettable parts of our trip was crossing the Thames. We walked across London Bridge, took a ride on the London Eye, and enjoyed a spectacular aerial view of the city. Then we boarded a cruise on the river. There was a band playing live music on board and snacks being served. As evening fell, the city came alive—the setting sun bouncing off the glass facades of the skyscrapers, shimmering orange and red on the river’s surface. Slowly the lights of the city came on. There is something magical about a city as it wakes up with the fall of darkness. While in Dublin, our son suggested that we travel to Switzerland next. But that journey never happened. Soon after we returned to India, my wife passed away.
I may no longer be able to travel with her, but I carry with me the memory of that cruise down the Thames—the warmth of the sunset, the gleaming river, the laughter in the air, and the lights of London shining down on us both.

(As narrated to Support Elders by our member)

Through the eyes of our member Ms. M. Roy, we glimpse the splendour of Sri Lanka’s colonial past and modern-day elegance. Her recent visit to the island nation made her reconsider her long-held assumptions and fall in love with the ‘Emerald Isle’.

I often accompany my son when he travels abroad to attend conferences. Thanks to him, I’ve had the good fortune of travelling far and wide. I recently visited Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.
We stayed in Mount Lavinia. It was a massive accommodation with over 2,000 rooms. I had never been to such a luxurious hotel before—it was an extraordinary location, right on the beach. Every morning, I woke up feeling as though I was floating on the sea. The meals were elaborate and fancy; there were ballrooms, fountains, and winding staircases that seemed straight out of a film.
We visited Galle, once a Dutch colony. I enjoyed walking in the downtown area—its cafés and plush restaurants were full of smart office-goers—and the Galle Face Green, a long stretch of coastal park. Historically, it was a much larger area built by the Dutch, who placed their cannons along the Face to defend against Portuguese attacks by sea. The residential areas of the city were dotted with houses that were 150–200 years old, built in the Dutch colonial style. It is amazing how well-maintained these houses still are.
We travelled extensively, visiting Sigiriya, the rock fortress atop a table-top mountain, and Kandy, a city surrounded by hills. Kandy has a palace complex belonging to a royal family that ruled the area before the British invasion.
The trip changed my perception of Sri Lanka. Given the recent unrests in the island nation, I had assumed it was a poor country with limited means and high unemployment. I was proved wrong. The roads were spotlessly clean—not littered like ours. We travelled long hours by road and, believe me, it felt like we were flying, so well-maintained were the roads! Not a pothole in sight. My son, who frequently visits Sri Lanka for seminars and meetings, also enlightened me about the local people and their culture, praising their professionalism, work ethic, and dedication.
After I came back home, I felt we are truly rich in friends to have neighbours like Sri Lanka. It was one of my most memorable trips, and I hope to visit the “Emerald Isle” and its wonderful people once again.

(As narrated to Support Elders by our member)