Kochi: Keralites are familiar with KR Vijayan and his wife Mohana who are known for their incredible passion for travelling. The couple who run the Balaji Coffee House in Gandhinagar had visited many countries using the income that they earn from their humble business.
However, in November 2021, Vijayan passed away due to heart attack, leaving Mohana alone to pursue the destinations. Japan was the next country on his wish list to be visited with his wife. However, fate didn’t allow him that trip.
Mohana, meanwhile, decided to keep her beloved husband’s memories alive by continuing his dreams. “It was he who accompanied me everywhere and made me experience everything,” says Mohana.
Mohana fulfilled Vijayan’s dreams by visiting Japan and South Korea. She was accompanied by her daughter Usha V Prabhu, son in law Muraleedhara Pai and grand children Amrutha and Manjunath.
Cherry blossom festival and border
The group began their journey on 22 March and returned fifteen days later on 6 April. They saw the famous cherry blossom festival of Japan. Mohana visited South Korea too which extended up to the North Korean border. Vijayan and Mohana had visited around twenty six countries in fourteen years using the income from their coffee shop.
Next trip after two years
Now, Mohana has seen twenty eight countries including Japan and South Korea. Mohana recalls that their last trip together was to Russia. Even though Mohana was able to find a sponsor for the Japan trip, she has some debts. Meanwhile, her grand daughter Amrutha is all set to fly to the UK for higher studies.
Mohana says that it was Vijayan’s dreams to send Amrutha there. She adds that she would plan her next trip only after two years. Vijayan and Mohana had aimed to visit fifty countries together. Mohana is now determined to fulfil Vijayan’s wishes by continuing to see the world.