Bengaluru dad shares his son's school is taking him to Malaysia for a trip, recalls when he used to travel on train and stay in tents; son to stay in Marriot hotel

A Bengaluru dad’s post about his son’s school trip to Malaysia has sent Indians down memory lane, with social media users recalling everything from Himalayan treks and overnight train journeys to visits to Guindy Park, local zoos and even a railway station to see a train.

The father said his son’s school, National Public School, was taking students to Malaysia, where they would stay at a Marriott hotel and explore Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi. He welcomed the growing place of travel in school life, while reminiscing about his own school’s Himalayan treks and wondering how his son would adjust to travelling with a large group of classmates.

From sleeper-class trains to a Malaysia school tour

“My school (Vidya Mandir Adayar) took us in summer holidays to Himalayan treks,” the father wrote on X.


He recalled travelling in second-class sleeper coaches, staying in temporary lodges in Delhi and Mandi, and sleeping in tents in the Bara Bangal range near Manali. The group often travelled overnight by train or bus.

“I think we stayed overnight in tents and mostly did night travel by trains/buses,” he wrote.

One memory stood out: “Nothing was more therapeutic than putting my face on the window seat grill and staring at places pass by on the Tamil Nadu express.”

The father said those trips helped him talk to people and understand different places and customs. He has also taken his son on several trips, but is now curious to see how the boy adjusts to travelling with a larger group of children his own age.

‘They took us to the railway station’

The post quickly drew responses from Indians whose school excursions looked very different.

One user summed up the gap between generations with a memorable line: “They took us to the railway station to see Vivekananda express man. Kids these days are lucky.”

Another recalled a more familiar Chennai school outing: “My school they took to Guindy park and planetarium in Guindy till 6th standard.”

Others shared memories of trips to Guindy Park, Vandalur Zoo, Dizzee World and water purification plants. One user said their school took students to Guindy Park from Classes 1 to 5, followed by visits to Dizzee World in later years.

The replies showed how school trips could mean very different things to different students. Some got multi-day treks and overnight journeys, while others remembered excursions to nearby attractions.

‘Middle class us couldn't afford’

The discussion also brought out the affordability gap behind overseas school trips.

One user wrote: “my school did plan these faarin outings but naturally middle class us couldn't afford.”

The comment offered a different perspective on the Malaysia trip. While international school excursions can give children an opportunity to explore another country with their classmates, the cost can put them out of reach for some families.

Another commenter pushed back against the idea that the original post represented a broadly relatable success story, writing: “If someone looking for a struggling dad success story, this is not it. Just Rich dad’s experience of his kid paid foreign trip. Absolutely normal.”

The responses ranged from nostalgia and humour to a reminder that access to travel is not equal for every child.

From the Himalayas to Mysuru and Ooty

Several users recalled school excursions that took them beyond their immediate neighbourhoods without taking them abroad.

One user described trips to Mysuru, Ooty, Thekkady and Ernakulam, followed by visits to Yercaud and Kodaikanal. The same user also recalled opting for a week-long trekking trip to Kodaikanal with a smaller group.

The Bengaluru father listed his own school’s excursions over the years, including the Theosophical Society, Andhra Pradesh, Poompuhar, Pondicherry, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Shimla and the Himalayas.