Our day began at the crack of dawn—6 a.m., to be precise. We had an Uber booked to take us to Colombo International Airport, a far more budget-friendly option at $6 compared to the $20 hotel car service. However, when we arrived at the hotel lobby, there was no car in sight. The tracking app showed the vehicle wasn’t moving at all, leaving us in a mild panic. Should we splurge on a more expensive ride, or wait it out? Thankfully, the car eventually arrived, and we were off. It left us wondering, though—is Uber always this unpredictable in Sri Lanka?
Upon arriving at the airport, we breathed a sigh of relief—only for it to be cut short by our next ordeal. Our flight to Cochin was overbooked, and we were informed that we couldn’t board. It was our first experience dealing with an overbooked flight, and we were unsure how to proceed. The airline presented us with two options:
1. Stay in Sri Lanka for the night, with all transport and accommodations covered, and fly to Cochin the following day.
2. Board a flight to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (a name we could barely pronounce!) instead, and have ground transport arranged from there to Cochin.
We initially misunderstood, thinking the airline’s support only extended within Sri Lanka. But upon clarification, they promised to arrange a taxi from airport to airport—even in India. Since we already had plans in Cochin starting that evening, we chose the second option.
What stood out to us during this rather stressful situation was how the airline staff responded. “You’re lucky,” one staff member told us with a smile. “At least you’re getting to India today!” Another assured us that choosing the Thiruvananthapuram route was “the best option.” Their positivity was almost infectious, if not slightly amusing. Perhaps it’s a reflection of Sri Lankan culture—or maybe just those particular staff members—but it made us rethink how we handle tough situations.
After a quick meal onboard (a vegetable-filled pastry reminiscent of fried bread, paired with apple juice), we touched down in Thiruvananthapuram just 45 minutes later. Upon landing, the Sri Lankan Airlines staff swiftly guided us to our prearranged taxi.
Here’s where the next surprise awaited us: no visible ATM at the airport. We exchanged about 4,000 yen for Indian rupees, receiving just 1,600 rupees in return—an exchange rate that left us speechless. With cash in hand, we met our driver and embarked on the long journey to Cochin.
The drive, estimated at over five hours on Google Maps, initially felt daunting. However, our driver turned out to be a fascinating conversationalist. A Kerala native working in Saudi Arabia as a management professional, he shared stories of his background as an electrical engineer, sparking lively discussions about work, culture, and travel.
He treated us to breakfast at a local Kerala restaurant, where we sampled Idiyappam (string hoppers made of rice flour) and Dosa (a thin, crispy crepe), paired with aromatic coconut-based curries. The dishes were so flavorful that we momentarily forgot the morning’s chaos. When we told him that butter chicken and naan dominate Indian cuisine in Japan, he laughed, explaining that South Indian food is an entirely different world. A hot cup of authentic chai was the perfect finishing touch, warming us from the inside out.
During the drive, he also introduced us to the subtle differences between yellow and green coconuts—yellow ones being sweeter and softer, while green ones are crunchier with a more tangy juice. It was a small lesson in tropical produce that felt like a gift from the journey itself.
As we continued, we passed numerous cars adorned with yellow flowers. Curious, we learned they were heading to the Sabarimala Festival, a significant Hindu pilgrimage. This was a moment we would have missed entirely without a local to point it out.
Lunch brought another delightful culinary experience—short-grain, fluffy rice served with flavorful curries at a roadside restaurant frequented by locals and even the police. It was a meal that was as authentic as it gets.
The conversations during the drive ranged from India’s educational system to Kerala’s unique matrilineal heritage and even snippets of the Malayalam language. We learned that “thank you” is Nandi (നന്ദി) and “hello” is Namaskaram. While pronouncing Malayalam words felt like a tongue twister, it was a fun introduction to Kerala’s linguistic landscape.
After parting ways with our newfound friend in Thiruvalla, we continued the journey, finally arriving in Cochin to meet our second driver. Another two hours on the road brought us closer to Munnar, our ultimate destination. The driver played Tamil and Malayalam music to keep the mood lively as the fatigue of the day set in.
It was Christmas Eve, and the streets were alive with Santa Claus costumes and decorations—a surprising sight, considering India’s diverse religious landscape.
For dinner, we stopped at a local spot near Munnar, enjoying Kerala fish curry and coconut rice. The curry, a delicate balance of spices like cardamom, star anise, and cloves, paired perfectly with the lightly sweet coconut-infused rice.
Finally, after what felt like an endless day, we checked into our hotel in Munnar. A warm cup of spiced chai and a slice of Christmas plum cake awaited us—a sweet end to a chaotic but enriching day.
Upon checking in, we were pleasantly surprised when the staff handed us a plum cake, saying it was a special treat for Christmas Eve.
Our room, apparently designed for three guests, was quite spacious. While the amenities weren’t particularly impressive—things like toiletries and a hairdryer had to be requested—it didn’t detract much from the experience. Perhaps this is standard in India.
What stood out was the setting: the property was surrounded by a jungle-like atmosphere, enveloping us in the sounds of nature. The chirping of insects and the ambient noises of the night created an unexpectedly soothing environment, making it a uniquely restful night.
Tomorrow, we’ll explore Munnar’s famed tea plantations and spice gardens. For now, we’ll rest, grateful for the unexpected detours that made this journey unforgettable.
Thanks for joining us on this adventure. See you tomorrow!
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