Dream, travel and eat to your heart's content
Life's too beautiful to waste on regrets, so do what you love!
Dear Reader,
Travelling is what keeps me truly alive at heart. And this month’s newsletter tells you exactly why some places are must-visit destinations to add on your travel bucketlist.
Yes, I know it’s been a long time since I sat down to write this newsletter. It’s always in my heart to write a few words to the reader who takes out time to read this newsletter. Perhaps you wondered why there’s been a delay and maybe you didn’t wonder at all because you are busier than I am and even more caught up with life’s rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. I totally get it. Don’t worry.
Just want to share that I had an amazing start to July as my sister, my niece and my parents came over to stay with me. We had so much fun that when they left, I was nearly heartbroken to see them go, especially my niece as she holds a special place in my heart. When they came over, I really missed my nephew a lot but he had school and we didn’t want him to miss classes so he stayed back in Sydney. I find it so brave when children are self-reliant and manage on their own. It’s never easy but today’s kids are as understanding and empathetic as they are smart and intelligent.
Anyway, that’s enough about my personal updates. Let’s do a bit of travel dabbling, what do you say? So yes, I thought of you - my invisible reader - and knew that I had to write to you soon. So, let me start with some happy information that will be useful for you in case you enjoy travelling and want to enjoy delicious food as well.
Ever thinking of planning a trip to Kochi?
Here’s an heavenly place to stay - The Zuri, Kumarakom.
You can see how beautiful it looks at night (yes, see the image at the top of this newsletter and that’s The Zuri at night!) Below, there’s an image of The Zuri, Kumarakom at around 10 am. This place is so idyllic and picturesque. Love the lush greenery and the towering coconut trees - you can just tune into a Zen space naturally.
The Zuri Kumarakom, is my personal favourite when I want to chill out in Kochi, thanks to their hospitality.
Few years ago, we celebrated my Dad’s birthday as a surprise at The Zuri.
The entire staff and the chef came over to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ and wished my Dad, who was so overwhelmed and emotional that he blessed each of them as though they were his children. He told them, “In all these years, I’ve not felt so emotional as I do today. You are my own children.” And they too bowed their head and sincerely served my parents throughout our stay. I think all of us had tears in our eyes that evening.
Sometimes, these little gestures aren’t necessarily about customer service or the hospitality business. It is more about the authenticity of the people who bring their energy onboard and of course, the simplicity and goodness of the place that you are at.
For most people, a visit to Kerala is about enjoying fresh and delicious seafood.
The Rice Boat Restaurant at Taj Malabar, Wellingdon Island is a sensory experience you just shouldn’t miss. Their fish curry and karimeen items are stunners!
Do try it if you love fresh seafood in true Kerala style.
Read more about what else you can sit back and enjoy at The Rice Boat restaurant.
When you are in Kerala, the traditional architecture, lush greenery and picturesque views settle you in like a comfortable shawl around your shoulders in winter. The lush greenery and picturesque location combine so well to tantalise travellers.
For vegetarian or non-vegetarian Kerala meals, take a short drive from Kochi and enjoy a leisurely, royal lunch at the picturesque Travancore Palace Hotel in Cherthala.
No wonder, Travancore Palace Hotel in Cherthala is worth an hour’ drive to enjoy a leisurely lunch.
If you have a sweet tooth, check out Kochi’s ‘Paul Creamery’!
Don’t miss their delicious ice cream waffle combo - it is a straight-to-heaven experience!
In case you want to enjoy a nice lunch or dinner near Fort Kochi, check out Hotel Abad Plaza’s Pavillion Restaurant - it’s a family favourite with us since forever! The staff are so courteous and considerate that they strike a warm rapport with every customer, which is rare and heartwarming to experience. Read more about it here.
For folks based in Noida, you have a perfect place to indulge your sweet cravings - check out Burma Burma’s delicious desserts which are exceptionally delicious!
While Noida has some quaint coffeeshops and bistros that are now all the rage, a recent visit to Spezia Bistro was a lovely experience.
The atmosphere was so chilled out and the crowd seemed to be fun too.
We were recommended their peach elderflower summer drink.
Delicious, drool-worthy, Instagram-perfect!
The cool notes hit the summery vibe alright and yes, it was a visual delight to savour.
My teen was as excited as I was to taste this drink and we both shared it after like ages! We had fun tugging at the glass from each other like kids!
Last summer, I visited a stunning, bohemian themed cafe in Lucknow, thanks to my dearest friend Juhi who took me there. A cat kept threading its way to my feet and I found myself pirouetting around while I was seated - which just makes it funny to recall now. Sadly, I don’t remember the name of this place now.
I’m told this is one of Lucknow’s most ‘happening’ and exceptionally popular cafes. It had a dream-like, bohemian vibe that still resonates with me - yes, that good!
Do check out these places if you are in the mood to travel and experience heavenly food!
If you have discovered some amazing places where the food is a must-have experience, do write in to me at swapnazanand@gmail.com and tell me all about it. I’d love to hear from you and check out the place you mentioned.
Few insightful reads on the Internet
The Strange Secret of the McDonald’s Happy Meal
What happens if you drink spoilt milk?
6 Mistakes You’re making at Restaurants
The ‘Grandma Rule’ for Travelling
My happy moments in August 2023
The teen’s investiture ceremony as Head, Student Council is a special milestone. It brings challenges but it’s also a role that provides immense growth opportunities to serve the student community. With Guru Kripa, my teen has taken up this leadership role.
A humbling day for us as we watched the young man address the august gathering with a dash of humour and poetry - none of which we had even known he would talk about as he didnt share his speech with us no matter how many times we asked. He was clear that he wanted to keep it a truly authentic endeavour from start to finish.
But yes, it was truly an emotional, humbling day for me as a mom . Sepia-tinted memories flooded my eyes as I remembered the little toddler he was when we put him in playschool and his eyes would well up with tears when I left him. How Time flies! The key takeaway is that our children are not really our own nor do we “OWN’ them - they belong to themselves alone across many lifestimes and their destiny they were chosen for.
I have been glued to a few books though it’s been a super slow start. K.R. Meera’s ‘Jezebel’ has been a gripping, overwhelming experience. I plan to write a detailed review on it. I found my anger rising to the surface as I dwelt upon the cruelty and insensitivity with which women are treated when they get married, particularly in so-called educated famillies, where the hypocrisy and patriarchal frameworks are so intense that they destroy a woman’s self-confidence and mental health. The book is a stunner and I am only half-through it.
For readers who don’t look down their noses at all things Indian and enjoy books onculture and ancient belief systems, here’s a brilliant book that is based on real life situations and experiences.
Highly recommended. Do read it.
A lovely book to gift and buy your loved ones is Jeena R. Papaadi’s ‘Rat, Rabbit, Rock!’. You can find my detailed review of the book here. Highly recommended!
