Arooha Tours Sponsored Tea Seller to Visit Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Would anyone have ever thought it possible to travel the world with money earned selling tea and snacks? According to tea shop owners Vijayan, 67, it’s his childhood urge to travel and his willpower that help him achieve the required funds for globetrotting with his wife Mohana, 65. Their only source of income is the tea shop, but that hasn’t stopped them from pursuing their dreams.

‘A bit of hard work and determination will help you fulfill your dream’ may sound like a cheesy line suitable for fictional stories, but it is one that Vijayan and his wife agree to. For the past four decades, they have been running a tiny tea stall named Sree Balaji Coffee House in Kochi, Kerala where they both work hard every day to earn the money for their living and the couple’s travel passion.

How is it possible?

Their meager earnings are used for their daily expenses from which Vijayan gives his wife 300 Rupees every day to save for their travels or pay off the loan they take to travel. They take a loan to visit their planned destination. Once they get back they pay off the loan for the next 3 years and then the cycle repeats.

“People might call me mad because I spend the little I earn on traveling, rather than on land. But it gives me the enthusiasm to work harder once I’m back and planning my next destination. Money isn’t everything compared to your dreams,” says Vijayan. “Every trip is life changing and gives me a new outlook on life. With the grace of god, all my trips have good memories,” says Mohana.

No matter how financially tight Vijayan is, he never leaves his wife behind. “Traveling with her makes me happy. There is no point in traveling if you have no one to share the experiences with,” says Vijayan. Mohana considers herself blessed because she has Vijayan as her husband whose wanderlust has taken her to so many places.

Visited destinations

Their travels started in 1988 and only included touring the scenic sights in India. After they got their two daughters married, they started going overseas. They have visited more than 17 countries including top destinations like Austria, Japan, Singapore, etc and have managed to tick 5 Of the 7 monuments that are wonders of the world from their ‘must-see’ list.

Their dream to go to America was fulfilled by collecting money through crowdfunding to which major celebrities like Anupam Kher, Amitabh Bachan and others contributed. Their accommodation for a trip to South Africa was covered by one of Vijayan’s old acquaintances. Although the couple visited Dubai in 2008 during a transit from an 18-day trip to Jordan, Egypt, Israel and Palestine, they couldn’t sight-see the city because of lack of money and time. Now, their trip to Dubai has been sponsored by Arooha Tours so that they can enjoy the sights of Dubai.

Visit to the Miracle City

The 4 days and 3 nights trip to Dubai was a surprise from Arooha Tours. “Money should never be a limiting factor in travel,” says managing Director Rashid Abbas, which is why he sponsored Vijayan and Mohana’s wish to visit Dubai. The couple were amazed by the city of Dubai, its buildings and even the traffic. The couple visited the Global Village, Miracle Garden and the Observation Deck of Burj Khalifa. They even experienced a desert Safari, a dhow cruise and a city tour. Vijayan wishes to bring his children and grandchildren to Dubai on his own expense one day.

This couple’s inspiring story shows that it’s willpower that can take us to places, be it our dreams or different lands.

Press Contact:
[email protected]
+971 56 858 6111
+971 42 399 903