Mangrove trees near Sambranikodi Island You can read the first part of this blog here. A Sudden Camaraderie Even as I wiped my brow with a tissue and settled onto a window seat, I was still feeling embarrassed by my mistake. My mind was overloaded with the could-have-been and would-have-been scenarios: “I should have called … Continue reading Travel Diaries: A Nightmare, a Missed Boat, & an Ethereal Ride to Sambranikodi – Part 2
Tag: hiddengem
Travel Diaries: A Nightmare, a Missed Boat, & an Ethereal Ride to Sambranikodi – Part 1
Sambranikodi Island - a Mangrove Paradise in Kollam, Kerala. See Ashtamudi On August 9, 2025, while I was walking through the shores of ‘Ashtamudi Lake’, near the Kollam KSRTC bus stand, I noticed a double-decker boat, with the name ‘See Ashtamudi.’ Out of sheer curiosity, I jotted down the boat’s contact details. Back in the … Continue reading Travel Diaries: A Nightmare, a Missed Boat, & an Ethereal Ride to Sambranikodi – Part 1
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: 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
Travel Diaries: A Tale of Two Rainbows ft. Thangasserry Lighthouse
The view from the top was nothing short of breathtaking. On one side, there was the mighty Arabian Sea, and on top an ever mightier and bluer sky. I could see the Sea Bridge or Pulimutt, which is part of the Thangassery Breakwater Tourism Park, and a fleet of fishing boats docked nearby.
Travel Diaries: A Noon Walk to Thirumullavaram Beach
Kollam's Hidden Coastal Charm , Thirumullavaram Beach. If you’re someone who has been following my website for a while, you already know I’m on a grand (and somewhat delusional) mission to go on my 'Dream India Trip' this year. My blog ‘My Quintessential India Trip Dream’, published in May 2025, talked about the same. But … Continue reading Travel Diaries: A Noon Walk to Thirumullavaram Beach
Lirio's Wanderings 