At 77, this solo woman traveller has visited all continents but one

For the attention of those travel-freaks posting 'selfies' on social media along with the description of their solo trip to Ooty on an Enfield Bullet: Meet this 'mother' who had done that and more decades earlier. Sreedevi Antharjanam, 77, of Panchavati Illam, Pullur, Kasaragod is now getting ready for her solo trip to Australia. "Travelling solo is safer, no need to have a company," Sreedevi teacher has no two minds about it.

Atop Mount Kailas

She lost her husband 30 years ago. She undertook nearly all of her solo journeys after retiring as an L P school headmistress in 1998. She has travelled around all inhabited continents except Australia. She has completed pan-Indian tours three times. She has been to the Himalayas about 6 times. She visited Kailasam (Mount Kailas) in 2005 along with a group from Kerala. She bathed in Lake Manasarovar at -20 degree centigrade. She went up the Everest in a helicopter from Kathmandu and posted an Indian flag up there. She even had 'jeera rice' from the Buddhist monasteries there. Her rich travel experiences can drench you like a heavy snowfall.

Mar Papa, the man

Sreedevi cannot forget the journeys to Europe and America. A ropeway journey up the snow-clad Alps and a submarine journey under the Niagara falls are etched in her memory. She narrates her experience of meeting Pope John Paul II. "On that day he was not keeping well. Still he allowed me to sit by his feet. He blessed me with a hug. He gave the group grapes and other fruits. I also got a chance to ring the gigantic bell of Saint Peter's Basilica." She spent about 100 days in Europe and America. Andaman Islands, Singapore etc are also her favourite places. But ultimately, she likes the food and the culture of Kerala.

Straight out of the kitchen

Sreedevi is a native of Puthanchantha near Irinjalakkuda in Thrissur. Her mind was toughened by the stringent social systems during her early childhood.

In those times, girls were rarely permitted to even step out of their houses (Illam). She was adamant to go to school for studies. She was forced into a marriage with T P Govindan Namboodiri of Peringottu Illam of Kaithapram while studying in the 9th standard. She insisted to her husband to let her complete the school education. After that she did TTC and started working as a school teacher. She retired after 34 years of service.

Unending journeys

She saves from her pension and from the money given by her children to undertake these journeys. Dr T P Ramakrishnan, her elder son, is the principal of the Sanskrit College in Chennai. T P Ramachandran, her younger son, is an engineer in Canada. Sreedevi usually avails the services of a reputed travel agent to plan and organize her journeys. Her last big trip was to Sri Lanka last year. Presently, she is looking after the cashew plantations and vegetable gardens in her 10 acres of land. She also finds time to take Bhagavad Gita classes for children. "I cannot anymore move about as fast as earlier. I am ageing. Still, I want to travel as long as I can move my limbs." Her decision is final.