Chaiwala couple traveled to 26 countries in 14 years

Kochi. R Vijayan, a renowned tea vendor from Kochi, who traveled to many countries, died of a heart attack here on Friday. He was 71 years old. Vijayan and his wife Mohana, owners of ‘Shri Balaji Coffee House’, a small tea shop in Kochi, became famous for traveling the world with their earnings. The couple had recently returned from a trip to Russia. Before leaving for Russia, Vijayan said he wanted to see the anniversary of the October Revolution, in which the Bolshevik Party seized power in Russia in 1917. They were excited to see the calm flowing Volga River up close.

The couple traveled to Israel in 2007 to save Rs 300 a day from tea stall earnings. This was his first trip outside the country. The couple traveled to 26 countries in the last 14 years. He also used to take small loans for travel. He used to put his information in the form of a poster at the tea stall long before the trip. While his wife used to make tea and snacks at his shop, Vijayan himself used to make tea. He first visited almost all religious and tourist places of the country. He had visited the temple of Lord Balaji more than 100 times. After this he also started traveling outside the country.

After the news of the couple traveling around the world went viral on social media, they started getting sponsors like industrialist Anand Mahindra, who sponsored their trip to Australia in 2019. Vijayan had told the media about his travels that travel is in my blood. Experience is the best teacher and travel is the best experience, which makes you rich.
The couple’s last visit to Russia was on October 21 and they returned on October 28. Eminent writer NS Madhavan tweeted, ‘Vijayan, a tea-seller from Ernakulam who has traveled to many countries of the world, passes away. He had just returned from Russia, where he wanted to meet Putin. Vijayan is survived by his wife, two daughters Sasikala, Usha and three grandchildren.