Category: Prose

Travel Diaries: Sunset at Kollam Beach & an Independence Day Rant

August 15, Friday  We Indians celebrate August 15 as our Independence Day. It's also a national holiday for us. Slow First-Half The day began with heavy showers. I thought I would have to spend the entire day indoors. In fact, I spent the first half of the day plugged to my desktop, watching various news … Continue reading Travel Diaries: Sunset at Kollam Beach & an Independence Day Rant

Travel Diaries: Two Forgotten Historical Monuments in Kollam – British Residency & Cheenakottaram

“To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?” - Cicero. 19 August 2025, Tuesday  A bee was buzzing near my ear as I left … Continue reading Travel Diaries: Two Forgotten Historical Monuments in Kollam – British Residency & Cheenakottaram

Travel Diaries: Eight Point Art Cafe – Where Art Meets Taste

8 Point Art Cafe: Art Gallery and Cafeteria. August 19, 2025, Tuesday After exploring the Adventure Park, I retraced my path back to the Eight Point Art Cafe. It’s an art gallery and cafe nestled in the heart of Asramam, Kollam.  I’ve been to this cafe before, mostly with my cousin brother. He loved the … Continue reading Travel Diaries: Eight Point Art Cafe – Where Art Meets Taste

Travel Diaries: From Kollam Children’s Park to Ashtamudi’s Shores

It was my first time at the park. I have an affinity for water bodies, so I was instantly drawn to the small pond near the entrance. I stood there for some time, just soaking in the sight: the green water of the pond, its blue cemented rim, the reflections of the trees nearby, the fallen dry leaves. 

Travel Diaries: Sunny & Sonder at Asramam Maidan

Bougainvilleas in Bloom. 9 August 2025, Saturday.  The start of my long walks in August. 🙂 In my hometown, Kollam, the rains are less frequent in August compared to June and July, so I plan to cover more places from my India trip itinerary this month. Let’s see how that pans out. Fingers crossed.  I … Continue reading Travel Diaries: Sunny & Sonder at Asramam Maidan

Travel Diaries: A Rainy Walk Through Asramam Maidan

20 July 2025 The Walkway Around Asramam Maidan. “മുറ്റത്തെ മുല്ലയ്‌ക്ക് മണമില്ല (Muttathe Mullaykku Manamilla)” is a popular saying in my mother tongue, Malayalam. Its literal translation is “The jasmine in one’s garden has no scent.” It implies that we often lose respect for or take for granted things and people that are too familiar to … Continue reading Travel Diaries: A Rainy Walk Through Asramam Maidan

Book Review: Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David with Greg Dinkin.

Why only five moves ahead? Five moves is the sweet spot of thoughtful strategy and swift action. Thinking too many moves ahead can lead to paralysis by analysis. Five moves is enough to make sure you are anticipating future outcomes and seeing moves and countermoves.

Travel Diaries: A Hidden Historic Gem in Thangasserry – St. Thomas Fort

A painting depicting St. Thomas Fort and Thangasserry Lighthouse in its old grandeur. On the Way After visiting the Thangasserry Breakwater Tourism Park, I walked towards the next spot on my itinerary, a ruined fort. On the way, I saw small stalls selling sweets and cold drinks. We Keralites call such stalls pettikadakal (“petti” means … Continue reading Travel Diaries: A Hidden Historic Gem in Thangasserry – St. Thomas Fort

Travel Diaries: Thangasserry Breakwater Tourism Park – A Walk Down Memory Lane

Thangasserry Breakwater Tourism Park as seen from the Thangasserry Lighthouse. The Wait for a Sunny Day If you’ve read my previous travel blog, “A Tale of Two Rainbows…,” then you already know that on July 6th, I had set out to explore a picturesque coastal village named Thangasserry in my hometown of Kollam. Though I … Continue reading Travel Diaries: Thangasserry Breakwater Tourism Park – A Walk Down Memory Lane