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God’s Own Country – And All His Cousins Live Here Too!
Kerala—true to its tagline “God’s Own Country”—is a green dream come alive. Everywhere you turn, it’s coconut trees, calm backwaters, and food that makes your tastebuds sing “Kathakali”!
Our houseboat check-in at Alleppey was supposed to be at 12 noon... but of course, true to Indian Standard Time, we rolled in fashionably late by an hour. No worries though—the crew welcomed us like long-lost cousins, even helped us park and ferried us to the boat in a tiny ‘pre-boat’ (yes, a boat to reach a boat, because… Kerala!).
First thing on board? Fresh lime juice and some bills to settle—because even in paradise, the first miracle is payment. We handed over the chicken and beef we had brought along like proud parents leaving kids at boarding school. "Take good care of them," we said. "Spice them well."
We had booked a 4-bedroom full A/C houseboat—because if you're floating in luxury, might as well freeze like royalty. For the uninitiated: half A/C boats turn on the cool breeze only from 7 PM to 6 AM. But full A/C? That's 24/7 Arctic blast in both your room and the dining area. Totally worth the extra bucks (and frozen nose).
Once we settled in, the boat began cruising and we were summoned for lunch. A homely Kerala-style meal awaited: crispy kari meen (fried fish that stared into our souls), veggies, salad, and rice. Nothing fancy—just good ol' comfort food with local charm.
Around 4 PM, we made a pit stop—not for fuel, but for fish! Fresh crab, prawns, or whatever swam too close to the boat. Since we had already brought enough land meat, we just picked up some prawns for a crunchy treat later.
Then came a surprise detour: a massage island! Yes, a literal tiny island where your stress goes to die. For ₹2000, I got an hour-long full-body massage. My spine still sends thank-you notes to the therapist.
By 5:30 PM, we docked at our night halt spot. Dinner was a dream: the beef was turned into a delicious dry fry, chicken transformed into Chicken 65, and chapatis + rice completed the ceremony. Michelin stars in my heart!
The next morning, breakfast was an all-South-Indian affair—fluffy idlis, crisp dosas, chutneys, and sambar. And yes, our leftover chicken was converted into a curry that made us want to miss our checkout on purpose.
Before we left, the crew told us about a speedboat ride—₹300 per head for 10 minutes of heart-racing, selfie-screaming joy. Totally worth it! Wind in the hair, water in the eyes, and laughter in the air.
We returned to the boat with big smiles and bigger memories. Checkout came too soon, but we left with a camera full of photos and a belly full of joy.
The crew was super friendly, always ready to cook whatever we threw at them (not literally), and made the whole trip smooth and unforgettable.
Only downside? The backwaters of God’s Own Country have way too many gods, I mean... houseboats. Felt like we were in divine traffic!
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Smoked BBQ that is slow-cooked for hours. You will get the beef brisket only on Wednesdays and Thursdays. There are other street foods too if you are not a fan of beef.
The smoky flavor of the beef, its juiciness, and the spices rubbed on it make it truly lovely. A never-to-miss spot if you are in Kochi.
This place offers an incredible variety of non-veg options to choose from. My personal favourite? The classic parotta with beef fry — absolutely irresistible! A must-try combo that hits all the right notes.
The Kallangi (Koduva) fish fry is another standout — a whole fish fried to perfection with aromatic masalas. The freshness of the fish combined with the rich, flavorful coating makes it a true showstopper.
And while you're at it, don’t forget to treat yourself to their coconut milkshake — it was heavenly!
If you're in Kochi and haven’t tried this place yet… well, don’t make that mistake. This is one foodie experience you’ll thank yourself for!
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A wonderful Dindigul biryani which is far better than thalappakatti or ponram biryani. Yes, I am talking about Siva biryani hotel. Situated in Dindigul, this place serves a fantastic mutton biryani to which I have become addicted.
Now if you are looking for chicken biryani or white rice here you'll be disappointed coz that's definitely not available here…
Though the menu is limited here, the taste is a no-match.
I tried out the mutton biryani, mutton chukka, mutton brain fry, mutton chops, prawns 65, and crab masala….
All the dishes were excellent … the mutton chops is a star dish and I recommend all to try it out.
The mutton biryani and the mutton melagu (pepper) kulambu combination is just wow, better than the biryani and dalcha combination.
My final verdict- Although the prices are on the higher side , the taste is heaven.
While their menu includes sweet and savory options, we sampled their signature Butter Bun, Chocolate Bun, and Jam Bun, paired with a glass of rose milk.
Here’s our verdict:
-The Butter Bun, sprinkled with sugar, was absolutely delicious and stole the show!
-The Jam Bun and Chocolate Bun were delightful too.
-As for the rose milk, it was just average.
If you're a fan of buttery, sugary treats, this Butter Bun is worth traveling any distance for! Don't miss out on this star dish when in Dindigul.
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Lunch Like a King
Next, we hit Ninh Binh town for a buffet lunch. Veg, non-veg, desserts—you name it, they had it. Let’s say I left the table very happy.
Stop #2: Tam Coc Boat Ride
After lunch, it was time for our boat ride in the Tam Coc River. With 2 people per boat, the ride was slow-moving through the lush green scenery of agricultural fields, mountains, and caves. The view was just amazing and it just mesmerized me !!!! The ride was for 1 to 1.5 hours and I truly loved it. The boar riders expect a tip of about 100,000 vnd ( Vietnam dong) you could go with 50,000 to 100,000 vnd for 1 person. So I gave 200,000 vnd since our boat rider was an old lady.
Stop #3: Mua Caves and the Big Climb
The van took us to Mua Caves. If you’re feeling adventurous, climb 500 steps to reach the top for jaw-dropping views of the Tam Coc River. The climb is no joke—some steps are slippery, and the peak near the dragon is a bit risky, especially when it’s crowded. Not into climbing? No problem. There’s a massive lily pond and water-filled caves to explore too.
Heading Back
We had a quick snack break on the way back and reached Hanoi by 7:30 or 8 PM.
Cost and Tips
The entire day cost just ₹3,500 (~$41), covering travel, sightseeing tickets, and lunch. Tips for the boat rower and van driver aren’t included.
Pro Tip
If you have more time, consider staying in Ninh Binh. There are lovely hotels near the Tam Coc River and Mua Caves.
In short: If you’re in Hanoi, don’t miss this trip! It’s a day full of fun, food, and fabulous views.
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Food Enthusiast exploring the rich flavours & cuisine one plate at a time. Discovering hidden gems & signature dishes. Follow my food journey
YouTube Channel -> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVV5mfdT4I_dhktmIx091lA/
