Travel – The Balanced Equation

When Life Sends You Sideways

It’s been a long time between posts.

And not the kind of “life got busy” pause — but the kind of full-body halt that comes when life flips your world upside down and knocks the breath clean out of you.

A Dream Realised… Briefly

At the start of 2025, I finally did it — I boarded a flight to India for a long-awaited adventure with Camel Treks Australia. It had been years in the making. I was craving wide skies, desert stillness, shared stories, and soul-deep restoration.

For a while, it was all that and more.

But life doesn’t always follow the plan.

A Message at 4am

I had barely touched back down on Australian soil when everything changed.

Jet-lagged, disoriented, and still holding the scent of incense and dust, I checked my phone at 4am. A message was waiting from my partner of 2.5 years — a man I love deeply, who knows me in both stillness and storm. The message simply read:

“Are you awake?”

Something in me braced. My reply was quick.

His answer came faster — and chilled me to my core:

“I’ll be with you whatever happens. But there’s been an accident. I’ve heard something’s happened — you need to call the police and find out what hospital they’ve been taken to.”

My heart dropped.

The Unfolding

My son and my ex-husband — my life partner for 30 years and the father of my children — had been in a horrific car accident. Both were critically injured. Both were fighting for their lives.

What followed was a surreal blur: hospitals, emergency teams, burns units, and the heavy silence that fills the space between questions no one can answer.

Within a fortnight, my ex-husband succumbed to his injuries and passed away on my 55th birthday.

The complexity of that grief is hard to name. This was someone I once loved, built a life with, raised children with. Our paths had long diverged, but the roots ran deep. His death marked the end of an era I hadn’t realised was still quietly shaping me.

Holding Death in Both Hands

I’ve been here before — near death’s edge. I’ve walked alongside it during illness, felt its breath on my neck through my own near-death experiences, and sat vigil with loved ones as they crossed over.

Death, to me, has never been a stranger. It is a powerful, mysterious teacher — one that strips away the unnecessary and leaves only what matters.

But this time… it asked more of me. It pulled at my roles as mother, as former wife, as woman, as witness — and forced me to sit with all the tangled pieces.

The In-Between

In the weeks and months that followed, I stepped back. From the blog. From work. From almost everything.

I poured my energy into being there for my son, into finding a path forward, into grieving with honesty and gentleness. I went quiet — not because I had nothing to say, but because there were no words wide enough to hold it all.

And Now

I’m not who I was at the beginning of this year.

Something in me has softened. Other parts have sharpened. I feel more grounded, more awake, more certain of what really matters.

This isn’t a return to blogging as usual. It’s a continuation — from where I now stand, in the middle of the mess and the meaning, still choosing to tell the truth, still choosing to grow.

Thank you for your patience, your presence, and for being part of this space — one that holds not just the light, but also the shadow, the mystery, and the unexpected turns that come with living a fully human life.

More soon — from the heart.

From Delhi to Agra: Elephants, Love Stories, and Two Highway Pit Stops

The Yamuna Expressway is less a highway and more an unscripted Bollywood drama—tractors, cows, and helmet-free bikers vying for space while sacred cows judge the chaos from the sidelines. Our journey to Agra included not one, but two memorable pit stops: a pricey latte at Highway Masala (worth it for the clean restroom alone) and a Butter Paneer Burger at McDonald’s that redefined fast food. But the real highlight was the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, where majestic giants, once abused, now thrive in peace. Add a glittering Taj Mahal love story performance to the mix, and you’ve got a day as unforgettable as it was chaotic.

Our day began in Delhi with a warm and hearty breakfast at Prakash Kutir, where Ajay and Savita’s hospitality could convince anyone to stay forever. But the road to Agra beckoned, promising elephants, a taste of history, and adventures along the way.

The Yamuna Expressway: A Highway of Contrasts

The Yamuna Expressway is less a highway and more an unscripted drama. Tractors share lanes with speeding cars, helmets and seatbelts are treated as optional, and sacred cows amble about as if they own the place (they probably do). The roadside scenery is an ever-changing slideshow of paddock cricket matches, brick kilns, and rubbish that stretches endlessly. There was even a dead dog and more than one abandoned bicycle—because why not add a little mystery to the mix?How did that dog die? I find myself wondering. It did not look like he’d been run over, possibly malnourishment or exhaustion I suspect.

Our first stop was Highway Masala, a roadside haven where I indulged in a latte that cost 335 rupees ($6.33 after tax and tip). Pricey, yes, but after a morning of visual chaos, it was worth every penny. Karen, our ever-resourceful guide, tipped the restroom attendant generously, ensuring we all got to freshen up in clean, civilized conditions—a rare and much-appreciated treat on this journey.

Back on the road, the conversations in the bus merged into a pleasant hum as we passed Mathura’s signature brick-making kilns and teenagers playing cricket on any patch of dirt they could find. My travel thoughts turned contemplative, but hunger soon pulled me back into the moment.

Lunch at McDonald’s: A Quick Bite Before the Elephants

With the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) as the day’s highlight, Karen, ever mindful of the clock, opted for a no-nonsense lunch at McDonald’s. This was not McDonalds as we knew it in Australia; this was India, and I embraced it wholeheartedly by ordering a Butter Paneer Burger (despite the fact I avoid McDonald’s and any fast food ordinarily). Equal parts spicy, buttery, and satisfying, it felt like a tiny triumph of Indian flavor over fast food uniformity.

The quick meal allowed us to stay on schedule while fueling up for what we all knew would be the most impactful part of the day—the visit to the elephants.

Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC): A Sanctuary of Second Chances

An impactful presentation…why this work is so important.

Mathura brought us to the ECCC, a sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abused and exploited elephants. Here, these majestic animals are given a second chance at life, free from the chains—both literal and figurative—that once bound them. Each elephant has a story, and hearing them is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. The presenter was exceptional. What is most impressive is the centre’s focus on rehabilitating the elephants owners and family as well in order to break the cycle altogether.

Mia, who spent decades performing in circuses and was often starved and beaten had arrived at the centre in a state of abject physical and mental distress. Now she spends her days basking in the sun, playing in the mud, and eating nourishing food alongside her BFF Rhea. Learning about the abuse these elephants endured and seeing their transformation into happier, healthier creatures was a humbling experience that left us all a little more compassionate—and a lot more aware.

https://wildlifesos.org/

Mia aged 52 – note her poor feet needing continued treatment as a result of abuse suffered before being rescued.

Agra: Love, Lights, and a Bit of Contemplation

As we arrived in Agra, the chaotic energy of the day gave way to the serene charm of Da Bungalow, a retreat that combines modern comfort with traditional Indian aesthetics.

The evening took us to the Agra Mohabbat The Taj Show, a glittering spectacle that brought the love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal to life. With its vibrant costumes, entrancing music, and heartfelt performances, it was the perfect way to end a day that had already felt larger than life.

Reflections on the Journey

As we made our way back to Da Bungalow, the chatter of the group softened, and my thoughts drifted to the changes awaiting me back home. My house is on the market, with a buyer viewing it tomorrow morning. Will my next chapter take me to another town? Or, will I stay in the town I’ve come to love. These questions hung in the air, unanswered but oddly comforting in their ambiguity.

For now, I am content to let the answers come in their own time. Tomorrow, the Taj Mahal awaits. If it’s even half as spectacular as the Butter Paneer Burger, I’ll call it a win. For today, I’m just grateful for elephants, clean restrooms, and the magic of being present on this wild, wonderful journey.

Namaskar from India: Navigating Chaos, Culture, and Curiosity

India is a place that defies neat descriptions. It’s vibrant, chaotic, soulful, and layered with more stories than one blog post could ever capture. From the cacophony of horns to the historical grandeur of the Mughal dynasty, every moment here is alive with contrasts.

Take the roads, for example. Driving in India is its own kind of performance art. And here’s a fun fact: it’s considered rude not to honk your horn before passing a vehicle. Honking is less about aggression and more about communication—a polite “Namaskar” to let others know you’re coming through. Trucks often display signs like “Blow Horn” or “Use Dipper at Night,” making it clear that honking isn’t just tolerated—it’s expected. It’s noisy, yes, but it’s also strangely efficient in its own chaotic way.

Reading the Roads: A Crash Course in Indian License Plates

One of the first things I noticed during my time here was the kaleidoscope of vehicle registration plates. Each tells a little story about where the vehicle comes from and its purpose:

• Yellow Plates: Commercial vehicles—taxis, trucks, and buses hustling to their next destination.

• White Plates: Private vehicles, carrying families, professionals, and everyday life.

• Green Plates: Electric vehicles—a hopeful sign of sustainability amidst the bustling chaos.

• DL: Vehicles registered in Delhi.

• RJ: Rajasthan, for those that call the majestic desert state home.

Every plate is like a postcard from a different corner of India, a reminder of how vast and diverse this country is.

The Streets Are Alive

India’s streets are more than just thoroughfares—they’re stages where life unfolds in all its raw beauty. Children play in the middle of the road, darting between cars and laughing with uncontainable joy. Others wash windows at traffic lights or paint gutters with a focus that’s both industrious and surreal. It’s a scene that tugs at your heartstrings, reminding you of the resilience and creativity that thrive even in the midst of challenges.

Tastes of Tradition: Semolina and Chickpea Flour

The food here is an adventure in itself, and my taste buds are having the time of their lives. Indian cuisine has a way of turning the simplest ingredients into something extraordinary. Take semolina and chickpea flour, for example. These humble staples are transformed into delicacies like soft, spongy dhokla or crispy, golden pakoras. It’s a reminder that in India, food isn’t just nourishment—it’s art, tradition, and a celebration of flavor.

A Glimpse into History: The Qutb Monuments and the Mughal Dynasty

India’s history is as rich and layered as its food. Exploring the Qutb Minar Complex in Delhi, I found myself awestruck by the scale and intricacy of these ancient structures. The Qutb Minar, a towering sandstone minaret built in 1193, rises like a sentinel over centuries of history. The surrounding ruins, including the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, tell stories of conquest, faith, and architectural brilliance.

This is the legacy of the Mughal dynasty, whose influence can still be felt in everything from India’s cuisine to its art and architecture. Walking through these monuments, it’s impossible not to feel a sense of reverence for the grandeur and ingenuity of those who came before us.

Finding Balance in the Chaos

India has a way of throwing you off balance—and then teaching you how to find your footing again. It’s in the blaring horns that somehow create order from chaos, the children who turn busy streets into playgrounds, the food that speaks of centuries-old traditions, and the monuments that whisper stories of a time long gone.

Travel here isn’t always comfortable, but it’s always meaningful. It demands that you stay present, that you open yourself to the unfamiliar, and that you find beauty in the mess. India doesn’t just show you the world—it shows you yourself, reflected in its vibrant, unfiltered mirror.

So, if you find yourself here one day, listen for the horns, taste the pakoras, marvel at the history, and let the chaos guide you to something extraordinary. Namaskar, my friends—welcome to the journey.