Some trips are special because of where you go. Mine was special because of who I was with. To celebrate my Dadu’s first birthday with me, my entire family packed their bags and headed to beautiful Diu. Joining me on this adventure were Dadu, Dadi, Chachu, Chachi, Mumma, and Pappa—the people who fill my world with love every single day.
But before the excitement of the trip even began, I had an important milestone to check off. I visited Tramba PHC for my Oral Polio Vaccine. Everyone was proud of how brave I was, and once that was done, I was officially ready for my first big family vacation!
What made this trip extra special was that every single decision revolved around me. The destination, the hotel, the travel timings, the cars, the meal plans, the sightseeing schedule—everything was thoughtfully planned keeping my comfort and routine in mind. For the first time, I wasn’t just joining a family trip; I was the centre of it!
The preparations started days in advance. By then, I had already begun eating solids, which meant travelling required military-level planning. My Mumma and Pappa, once famous for being minimal packers, suddenly found themselves carrying what looked like our entire home. There were clothes, diapers, toys, medicines, feeding supplies, cooking essentials, food containers, and enough baby gear to make anyone wonder if we were moving instead of vacationing.
The road trip itself was so much fun. I happily hopped between two cars enjoying cuddles, songs, conversations, naps, and endless attention wherever I went. Both the cars felt like my own personal VIP lounge.
The highlights of out trip was celebrating Dadu’s birthday on 28th June 2026. I came fully prepared in my special “Happy Birthday Dadu” onesie, and I looked absolutely adorable, if I may say so myself! The best part was helping Dadu cut his birthday cake. Everyone gathered around, smiling and cheering, while I enjoyed being part of the celebration. It was such a joyful moment and one that I’ll always see in photos and hear stories about.
The birthday celebrations also introduced me to something completely magical—balloons! It was my very first encounter with them, and I was fascinated. The bright colours, the way they floated and bounced, and the excitement they brought to the room completely captured my attention. Safe to say, I was a big fan.
At the hotel, while the rest of the family enjoyed delicious holiday meals, Mumma made sure I stayed on track with my solids journey. She lovingly cooked fresh meals for me, proving once again that mums never really go on vacation. Thanks to her, I got to enjoy my own special menu while everyone else enjoyed theirs.
Of course, despite being on holiday, the nights still revolved around my schedule. Dinner timings, evening plans, and bedtime routines all adjusted around me. I may have been the youngest traveller, but I was definitely the one running the itinerary.
And then came the biggest surprise of the trip. Until this vacation, I had always slept in my ghodiya. But somewhere between the long drives, hotel stays, and new experiences, I decided it was time for a change. During this trip, I gradually stopped sleeping in my ghodiya and learned to sleep between Mumma and Pappa on their bed! —What they expected to be a family vacation unexpectedly became the trip where I achieved a major sleep milestone.
Another memorable first was my very first swim. Everyone was excited to see me enjoy the water, splash around, and become a little water baby. Unfortunately, I wasn’t quite convinced. The pool and I had very different expectations of how that experience would go. While everyone else loved it, I wasn’t particularly impressed. Maybe I’ll enjoy swimming more on future vacations!
As wonderful as Diu was, the journey back home brought another unforgettable milestone. I realised that I could sleep comfortably in my car seat, with no help! For Mumma and Pappa, this was nothing short of revolutionary.
On our way back, I also visited my very first Jyotirlinga—Somnath. It was a deeply meaningful moment for our family, made even more special because my Motapappa had thoughtfully arranged everything so I could have the best possible darshan. Being blessed with such a smooth and comfortable first visit to Somnath made the end of the trip truly memorable.
Looking back, this journey was so much more than a vacation. As if Dadu’s birthday celebrations weren’t reason enough to make this trip memorable, I had a milestone of my own to celebrate—I turned 7 months old during the vacation! So while everyone gathered to celebrate Dadu, I quietly marked my own special month birthday too. Looking back, it feels like the perfect time for a trip filled with so many firsts—my first family vacation, first swim, first balloons, first Jyotirlinga visit, and even a brand-new way of sleeping.
Most importantly, it was a reminder of how lucky I am to be surrounded by a family that plans every detail with love. From Dadu and Dadi to Chachu and Chachi, from Mumma’s endless preparations to Pappa’s careful planning, everyone made sure my very first vacation was comfortable, joyful, and unforgettable.
My first trip to Diu wasn’t just a holiday—it was a collection of beautiful firsts, wrapped in love, laughter, family, and memories that will be cherished forever.
