Who Says Adventure Has An Age Limit?

Adventure in life is not only for  the young. Or for that matter, not only for men! We have a guest story of an adventurous outing by a group of not-so-young women (and men too!) from India. 

The story has been written by Padma Ramesh. Who is she?

Padma Ramesh is a journalist, trainer and a film academician by qualification and profession.

Off the professional track, Padma is a reluctant adventurer. She loves to travel, dreams of distant lands, and makes exhaustive itineraries—but also breaks into a mild panic every time she has to leave home. Airports make her nervous, packing stresses her out, and don’t even mention visa queues. Yet, once she’s out there, there’s no stopping her. Whether it’s climbing down a crater or climbing up to the top of a waterfall or bonding with strangers over food and films, travel informs her (and often, her next story)!

 We thank Padma for the story and the pictures. Over to her.

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 Who says adventure has an age limit?

They say travel is a young person’s game—well, "they" have clearly never met a woman in her 60s with a passport, a young heart, and a fierce desire to stand next to a geyser or a volcano before her knees give out! Who says adventure has an age limit? At 60 (or 70, or pushing 80 if your bones agree), a vacation in Iceland is less about speed and more about spirit and soul and getting high on adrenaline.

Welcome to the age of bold, brilliant, and beautifully seasoned travel. Whether you’re recently retired, escaping the kids (or grandkids), or simply chasing your next adventure, Iceland is calling—and guess what? It’s not asking your age.

Iceland isn't just for 20-something influencers dangling off cliffs in crop tops. It’s also for sassy, seasoned women who understand that the only thing better than a glacier is a glacier followed by a nap and a glass of wine!

From steaming geothermal lagoons to thundering waterfalls and wild volcanic landscapes, Iceland has all the drama and beauty of a Netflix series—only better, because you’re in it. And trust me, nothing says “I'm still fabulous” like standing next to an erupting geyser with one’s woollen scarf flapping in the arctic wind like a Norse goddess.

So we –a group of ‘dil se young’ and enthusiastic senior citizens hiked that trail, forded that stream (or stared at it while someone younger carried forward), and let Iceland remind us: adventure doesn’t retire — it just packs a few more thermals and a backup knee brace.

Reykjavík:

We started off with Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital—a city so charming it feels like a Hallmark movie set. Our cruise ship docked early so we could get out into the city by 8.30 am.

Pop into the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church for panoramic views of the city—there’s an elevator, so no knee-cracking stairs required. The architecture alone is enough to make one want to make the effort.

The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most famous route and the ultimate proof that Mother Nature outdid herself here.

The magnificent Kerid crater 

1 Þingvellir National Park

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where tectonic plates are drifting apart, and Iceland’s first parliament was formed over a thousand years ago. It’s dramatic, historic, and there’s plenty of flat, walkable paths with benches to support your aching back.

2. Geysir Geothermal Area

The Strokkur Geysir puts on a performance every 10 minutes. You’ll gasp, you’ll laugh, and yes—you might get wet.  Raincoats are highly recommended here.

3. Gullfoss Waterfall

Prepare to be wowed! Gullfoss (‘Golden Falls’) is like Niagara’s cooler Scandinavian cousin—raw, roaring, and perfect for a holiday photo.

“Isn’t this just breathtaking !”

Lake Myvatn-- A shallow lake formed about 2300 years ago. Myvatn translates to 'lake of midges' in English reflecting the abundance of these insects in the area. We swallowed a few despite our attempts to cover our faces.

Ísafjörður: Fjord-Side Fabulousness

Nestled in the heart of the Westfjords, Ísafjörður is perfect for the traveler who’s seen the Golden Circle, loved the Blue Lagoon, and now wants something more remote, more raw, and more real.  The Dynjandi waterfall (like Gullfoss’s dramatic twin)is pure magic.

For the 60+ Set: Ísafjörður Travel Tips

• Pack the Layers, Again: The wind here has opinions, and it shares them loudly. Wool is your friend.
• Embrace the Slow Life: This isn’t a place for racing through checklists—it’s for breathing deeply, taking photos, and saying things like, “Isn’t this just breathtaking?” every 20 minutes.

Demonic looking lava rocks

Final Thoughts: Age is just a number (Especially when one is chasing waterfalls)

Whether you’ve soaked in Reykjavík’s hot springs, marveled at geysers on the Golden Circle, wandered the fjords of Ísafjörður, or sipped tea under the Arctic sun in Akureyri—you’ve proven something powerful: Travel isn’t reserved only for the young ! 

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Once again we thank Padma for all the pictures and the guest story. Senior citizens and others- now gear up for Iceland!

Some of the other guest stories which appeared in Ghumakkad's blog are listed below. As you can see, the guest stories enrich the content and broaden the spectrum of our blog's coverage. We thank each of the contributors for their guest story.

A Squirrel Comes Home . by Dr Rohini Tiwari. The picture story revolves around a baby squirrel who was abandoned and then adopted by Rohini and family in Coimbatore.

Women Hiking in Water - A real-life story of four women hiking in a waste deep river. With sudden surge in the river, they nearly got swept away!

Sketching at Eight - story of an eight-year-old who has a website showing his sketches which are trending on the social media. The story in Naman's words.

Male Showstopper - by Koushik Gopinath. The picture story showcases Krishna, a male tiger in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in India.

Winning the Hearts of People - a story from the North East where the Indian Army adopts a front line village for uplifting the quality of life of the villagers.

There are many more guest stories in Ghumakkad's blog. You are welcome to contribute. Please ensure that the pictures are original. You can mail your story to hbindia@gmail.com .

Thanks for browsing. Stay connected. Do leave a comment. It keeps us going.

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Secunderabad/ 9th October 2025

Postscript:

10th Oct 25: Dr GB Sethi wrote: Great story, I climbed the Pyramid in 2010, good feeling. (Eds: He was 70 year-old then! )

10th Oct: Ms Suchitra Chaudhuri wrote:  Thanks Harsh for publishing Ms Padma's brilliant writing. She has put so much life into her writing that 70 + like me feel there is no age bar for adventure & we still have interesting life ahead . Kudos to her.

#Iceland #WomenAdventurers #AdventureInLife #LifeIsAn Adventure #YoungAtHeart #SeniorCitizens #GuestStory #Cruise #Ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh

 

Becoming Seventy!

What do you do as you turn seventy?

"Seventy is getting old, yet not old enough." Do you agree?

What did Ghumakkad do as he turned 70? More so during the Covid/ Omicron pandemic?

Well here is a flashback of what all I did as I entered the week of my 70th birthday.

Firstly I learnt how to crush sugar cane with manual labour! Yes, it was fascinating to take out fresh sugar cane juice at a road side kiosk. Manned by a lone middle aged lady from nearby village, the kiosk is 100% eco-friendly. No electric motor or petrol pump. Just two wooden rollers operated by hand! See the picture below.

There was not one but many such manual crushers on the stretch of the Karimnagar highway between Hakimpet and Thumukunta. See the 20-second video clip below to feel the energy required to take out just two glasses of sugar cane juice. Hat tip to the lady for all the manual labour everyday!

Talking of technology, look at the bevel gears made of solid wood. Am sure the village carpenters must have created it generation after generation! The geared rollers are eco friendly as well as hygienic. See the pictures below.

Secondly, I continued my manual labour by peeling 10 kgs of sweet peas! But don't ask me what happened to the most tender peas while peeling?

As you can see in the picture, the peas were being peeled in our garden. This 70-year-old loves shooting the flowers specially with the morning glow!

Thirdly, I explored the country side near our area. Whether a papaya plantation, Cheeku orchard, a village lake or a road blocked by a herd of goats, Ghumakkad's lens kept clicking.

The road goes past the College where Ghumakkad presently teaches. That's what keeps me going- to learn together with the students!

Fourthly, being an eternal nature lover, I spotted a snake skin of a longish rat snake. It was shining in the noon sun in a plotted layout not frequented by the owners. The snakes are known to shed their skin every 3 months or so. Since we had a snake skin at home, I did not disturb it and left it there. Pictures below.

Fifthly, I continued to enjoy morning golf. Whether on a foggy morning or a clear day, being on a golf course is always a bliss.

Readers may browse our earlier stories on golf listed below:

Is golf like yoga?

Why I love golfing?

Sixthly, 70-year-olds love sweets- even during the breakfast. See the picture of Gajar Halwa (Carrot pudding) on crisp toast with butter!

Lastly, I celebrated the birthday with friends and family both online and offline. Sharing two pictures of the face-to-face celebration first.

Being the 70th birthday, our children put in lot of effort to organise not one but four different online calls. Each of these online celebrations brought lot of nostalgia and warmth. It also put the birthday boy on the mat by asking him live questions! What fun it was! The messages sent by family and friends can be seen in the video links given below. The background score in all the videos is by our grandson Ansh in Chennai. Ansh has his YouTube channel, do subscribe to it.

The first video contains messages from the family.

The second video contains messages from near and dear ones including two of my former students.

The third video has Ghumakkad's Naval family. It includes two specially composed pieces one each in Hindi and English. Do browse.

And the last video contains messages from some of the BITS buddies and pieces of my heart.

We thank each and every member of our family and friends for their warm messages. It was simply overwhelming. Your love and blessings keep us going!

In addition, Nikhil our grandson in California played Rasputin by Boney M on his drums specially for me. See the YouTube clip here.

Not to be left behind, Anuva our 9-year-old grand daughter in Chennai who is learning piano, played the Happy Birthday tune for her Dadu. 

May God give such loving and caring family and friends to everybody.

There was only one regret- the pandemic prevented people from travelling. God willing we hope to have your blessings again on the 75th birthday in 2027!

Thanks again for your presence, calls, messages, posts, pictures and those who forgot- thanks for having me in your thoughts. We close with the motto of an Infantry Division in India which says 'Bash on Regardless'.

Here is some cake for you!

God bless and lots of love

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Neeta Bhargava/9th Jan 2022

#70thbirthday #turningseventy #weeklong70thbirthday #70isnotold #youngat70 #lifebeginsatseventy #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #gratitude #forevergrateful #friendsmakeadifference #70yearoldhiker #70yearoldphotographer #70yearoldgolfer #70yearoldnaturelover 

Himachal Bound Grandparents

What do young grandparents do?
How can grandparents be young?
What do you call the grandparents whose grandchildren are ten year old?
You call them 'ten-year-old-grandparents'! Correct?
And a ten-year-old is certainly 'young'!

This is the story of five such young grandparents with many things in common.
All are Navy Veterans.
All were Coursemates in the Navy.
All have two children each.
All are grandparents, by the grace of God.
All love outdoor life, good food and travelling.
All of them enjoy the company of their friends.
They have been friends for forty six years now!
Yes, forty six!
And counting!

These young grandparents decided to celebrate their togetherness in the hills of Himachal Pradesh. Their previous Reunions took place in Secunderabad, Coorg, Goa, Lonavla, and Manas (Assam). Links to some of the previous stories are given below:
Assam- Here We Come and other linked stories
Young Grandparents in Goa

Here is a video made for an earlier Reunion in Bangalore:

Who are these 'crazy' young grandparents who chose Himachal Pradesh for their Reunion?
Here they are!

Asokans

Bals

Gopus

Mohini Paroolkar 

Bhargavas

Following course mates could not join the Reunion in Himachal.

Anands, Haridwar
Aisolas, USA
Bhowmicks, Mumbai
Chandras, Noida
Das', Bangalore
Dhavares, Pune
Gopals, Hyderabad
Goerges, Chennai
Jains, Noida
Jogis, Canada
Nagarajs, Bangalore
Pottis, Vizag
Ravindras, Bangalore
RPs, Noida
Trilochans, Chandigarh
Xavier

Not in touch:
Monty Goyal
BK Katti
Pradeep Uppal

Here is how they all looked in 1973 when Navy brought them together! This picture always finds a place in every Reunion.

Once again we thank God and our children for giving us the most precious gift- our grandchildren! Hail our grandchildren!

As we move up the hills in coming days, more stories will follow.
Stay connected.

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Neeta Bhargava/ 17th Nov 2019

#Indiannavy #veterans #navalbuddies #coursemates #reunions #friendshipforever #himachalpradesh #kandaghat #lifeinthehills #grandchildren #lifeishavingfriends #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #hailthegrandchildren

Friends Forever Asli FFA

In their seventies but still young at heart--accurately describes these fourteen grandparents who celebrate their bonding and camaraderie of 40+ years. Navy-- INS Valsura to be precise, brought them together 43 years ago. All of them have since retired from the Navy. But their bond of friendship has continued. Each one of these 'young at heart' buddies has also excelled in their second innings in civil life.

These buddies for four decades, have been sharing their joys and sorrows. Besides attending each other's weddings, they have also graced the weddings of each others' children and such other family celebrations. This September, these young grandpas with their spouses are once again reuniting in Andaman Islands. Like a true Naval operation, planning for this trip started nine months ago. Our cover picture says it all.

These Naval officers do not belong to one single course or batch. As bachelors, many of them lived in the Wardroom Mess at INS Valsura, Navy's electrical school in Jamnagar Gujarat. In 1970s, they were allotted cabins on the first floor in the Officers' Mess. This led to the birth of  an informal group called 'FFA'- the First Floor Association. FFA was somewhat different from group of school mates, college mates, squadron mates, hostel mates, wingies (my BITSian buddies-- are you listening?) and so on. Married officers were granted 'honorary' membership of FFA. FFA members were passionate about teaching. No wonder many of them took it up as a career in their second innings. 
Here is an FFA picture. 

In the picture above L to R: Lieutenants SK Banerjee, PG Bhat, Gian Prakash, JVR Moorty, GR Nair and Raman Kumar.

These guys moved on from Valsura to various ships and establishments in the Navy but the FFA bond kept them connected (no Facebook those days!). They are now between 64 and 77 years of age. Therefore this reunion further cements the bonds of FFA era. Perhaps FFA has now got a new meaning-- 'Friends Forever Asli'-- in line with bilingual tag lines such as 'Yeh Dil Mange More'. Asli  असली in Hindi means 'real'. And they sure portray real friendship.
Stories of FFA's previous reunions can be browsed on the links below:
2012- Mumbai - Picture collage below

2013- Jamnagar Reunion (click here for picture story)  

2013- Video snapshot of these crazy guys how they looked in 1970s

2014- Kochi Reunion (click here for picture story)

Meet these crazy 'young' buddies (they hate the word 'oldies') one by one- in alphabetical order below.

Talking of Kwatra's poetry, sample this on life after retirement:

Thanks Satish for that wonderful composition. More from Satish Kwatra will follow in subsequent picture stories from Andmans.

Sadly, two of the buddies have since lost their spouses. We all miss Mrs Anita Nair and Mrs Paramjeet Sadiora. Our humble tribute and remembrance to both the ladies.

Besides these fourteen buddies, there are many others of FFA-vintage who could not make it this time. Some of these FFA and 'honorary' FFA buddies are listed below (in alphabetical order):
Usha and PG Bhat
Sudha and AM Boopathi
Jagdish Chandra
Gopa and Ranjit Deb
Nandini and Vijay Dixit
Jyoti and Late Vilas Gokhale
Megha and BC Jayaprakash
Kukum and Prabhat Jindal
Meena and Ashok Kalra
Karuna and Raman Kumar
Vijaya and JVR Moorty
Gowri and TN Pranesha
Lakshmi and NR Ravi
Chitra and JN Roy
Premila and Mani Thomas
Shailaja and MV Vasudevan

Ghumakkad may be pardoned for names which may have been missed out. But all these buddies who were faculty members (called 'instructors' in military parlance) in INS Valsura rocked together. Hail FFA!

This story was meant as the curtain raiser for FFA's forthcoming Andamans trip. More posts on Anadmans will follow. Andaman islands have their unique charm. For those not familiar with its location, see the map below:

Am sure each one of you would be regaling with similar memories of a reunion with buddies of yesteryears. As someone said "Friendship is like a violin; the music may stop now and then, but the strings will last forever".

Here is to 'Friends Forever Asli'!

Thanks for browsing
    -Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 14th Sept 2016

Postscript: Links to all the ten stories of our visit to the Andamans in 2016 are given below. Just click to browse.

Who were the travellers? - FFA Friends forever asli

Port Blair and its attractions- Kaala Paani, Corvyn's Beach

Sailing to Havelock - weather permitting

Havelock- Never too old for splashing in the sea

Scuba Diving at 65!

Thrill of Snorkeling- Elephant Beach

Kalapathar Beach- Where you discover yourself

Radhanagar Beach- Where the Sun goes down in a blink

Ross Island- Ruins with a story and incredible sound and light show

Chidiyatapu- Where the birds find you

Thanks again.

     Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Neeta Bhargava/ 30th Dec 2016

#Portblair #andamans #islands #cellularjail #ffa #ghumakkadharsh #ghumakkadhb #havelock #elephantbeach #radhanagarbeach #rossisland #scubadiving #snorkeling