The small crowds of friends huddling at common spots or fuel stations before their staycation drives during public holidays are such a delight to watch. Kids rush into the tiny supermarkets at the pump, grabbing their favourite bites, drinks, and chocolates, while the adults hunt for their preferred flavour of ice cream. The high decibel chatter says it all—the excitement is real.
Some want to use the washrooms before the journey begins (a clean one is such a blessing!). Others are busy picking up crates of drinking water. If it’s evening, you’ll often catch people loading wood for their bonfire or charcoal for the barbecue. I honestly don’t know if they’re this enthusiastic about cooking at home, but group cooking? That’s a different level of excitement.
Then there are the elderly, rolling down their windows and giving instructions on what to pick. Public holidays bring every age group out—and the enthusiasm is equally matched across generations. It’s something everyone has been waiting for.
With winter setting in, the weather is perfect. Outdoor gatherings take over life again. And watching these small and large groups chatter away at fuel stations or mid-points—planning the next stretch of their journey—is truly a treat.
The biggest discussion? Who’s leading the convoy, of course. GPS may be available to everyone, but sometimes being a little old-school is part of the fun.
Cars overtaking one another, windows rolling down, kids waving wildly, adults exchanging smiles—these tiny moments carry their own thrill.
Sometimes, the joy isn’t in the destination, but in the chaos before the drive.
It’s in these fleeting roadside moments that the real journey begins.
Blessmesai 