A week away from home

~ 97 weeks to my 'Tees' (30th) ~ 

Well, on Monday we woke up in Hyderabad, India. Prantik and I were there for an exam of mine. Another so-called sans-baby couple trip, where I just sat in the room revising while the husband was busy on his work-related conference calls. We ordered in food and had a restful time together.
The next day he dropped me at my exam venue and later picked me up after the exam was done and dusted. Phew - what a relief it was to be done with another exam (results are a month and a half away) but atleast the dangling sword was off our heads.

Following Hyderabadi thali lunch, we headed to the historical Golconda fort. I had last been there about 20+ years ago - and the younger brother, Rohit at the time was roughly the age that my own toddler is currently. It's always surreal to think back and realise how our life journey has panned out over the last couple of decades. We climbed many, many (as Ayu says) steps, to reach the top - and enjoyed the wind, and the view of the city from atop. The sunset was one to behold indeed.
We then headed to the the CharMinar - and were dazzled by the many pearl/jewellery stores around; following which we headed to a rooftop resto-bar, to grab some dinner and drinks, prior to our flight back to Singapore.

As planned, the parents brought our luggage and Ayaan to the airport, and soon enough, we were aboard our next flight - first with the little one having his own seat - off to our short holiday at Langkawi island, Malaysia. The idea for this trip right from it's conception, was to just chill with our little family, and have a relaxed time together, at the beach resort. Additionally, we were off social . media too for that week or so.

We spent 100% of the time, just being in the now and enjoying each others' company - isn't that the kind of vacation one needs?! We'd eat breakfasts like kings (champagne breakfasts FTW), chill at the beach or lay back and read books, max out on spa time, spend happy hour at the pool or get back at the beachside, watching Ayaan making sand castles (or food even!), behold gorgeous sunsets from the sunset deck and cheers together to the good life (touch wood), read bedtime stories on repeat and after the little one had fallen asleep, binge watch some online series, before falling asleep, into restful abyss of slumber, like a baby.

One of the days, we did head out to check out the famed SkyBridge, a suspension bridge at 2170 ft above sea level, reached after perhaps the steepest cable car ride. The view that met the eye - of the archipelago: island-studded blue ocean, meeting the cloud-studded blue sky was beautiful indeed. Ayaan also saw monkeys up close for the first time - after the initial awe, I presume he was a bit scared too - but soon after, we were happily singing "Five Little Monkeys" and jumping about in glee. The little one also had the experience of playing a grand piano and also, playing with marbles.

The week away was full of feel-good experiences, and getting back home felt good nonetheless. We were back to the world of responsibilities, and were back on our phones too - realising also that we didn't really miss out much huh? So much for FOMO :D But most, importantly, it was just nice to be in the present and for once, just soak it all in...