When I hit “publish” on this post, you’ll know we’ve arrived safely on the other side of the world.
If you follow me on Facebook, you might remember me sharing a big airfare sale I spotted last Christmas–deeply discounted round trip flights to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. We jumped on that deal, and booked a spur-of-the-moment spring trip to India!
For over a decade, India has been a dream for me and the absolute top of my travel bucket list. But for all those years, I’ve put off making it a priority until I had enough time, money, etc. to “do it right.” Flights were expensive, travel times long, and logistics confusing–everything about it seemed challenging.
While this is certainly not perfect timing (Kevin is busy at work with a brand new job, and we have just come back from a handful of other previously planned trips), we hadn’t forseen those things when we booked. I’m a little stressed out about taking off right now, but I do believe it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
We’ll be spending two nights in Mumbai, before flying down to spend the bulk of the two-week trip exploring the Kerala region–colonial towns, coastal fishing villages and tropical backwaters, and mountainous interiors, including the picturesque Munnar tea region.
I’ll also be eating EVERYTHING! I love Indian food and am thrilled to finally go to a part of the world that is so famously vegetarian-friendly.
Otherwise, we haven’t made all that many plans, hoping to meet local people and get their advice on what to see and how to see it.
I still don’t feel “ready” for this trip, but who know if I ever would? Here it goes!
Have you ever been to India? Let me know if you have any travel tips or advice–we really need it!
We’ve got a few blog posts scheduled to go up over the next few weeks on travel to Shasta County, California’s Central Coast, and Cajun Country Louisiana–so stay tuned for those!
Photos: Flickr Creative Commons
Rebecca says
Have a great time and can’t wait to catch up when you are back!!!
Cassie Kifer says
Thanks, Rebecca! Emailing you…
Jenna says
So exciting! I can’t wait to hear all about it.
Cassie Kifer says
Thanks Jenna, it was a really wonderful trip, I’ve posted a bunch of pictures over on IG, it’s all I can get up the energy to do. Worst. Jetlag. Ever! 🙂
Matthias says
WOW! Cassie & Kevin, you both are just amazing for me!
While I’m only “DREAMING of California” for years, you’ll probably have travelled around the planet several times! 🙂
I’m a bit ashamed and need to hurry up! hahahaha…
Have a good time, keep healthy and come back safe!!! !!! !!!
– Matthias
Cassie Kifer says
Matthias, don’t be ashamed. We have definitely been traveling too much lately and it’s taking a bit of a toll on us. I’m home right now and happy to stay here for a good long while! 🙂 You’ll make it happen one day, I’m sure of it!
Matthias says
Cassie, I’m glad you got back home healthy. -You’re right, I’ll make my “California trip” happen one day. Mentally and online I’m already there!:) Even California poppies are in the near. I’ve told you that I’ve seeded a lot on my balconies and in our little village. Now I’m awaiting that they start to bloom ( I’ll take photos then and share them). – Every morning – before breakfast (!) – I go on the balkonies (I’ve TWO!) and I look in the flower pots and when I see tiny germ buds of California poppies my heart is pounding…I’m so thrilled! – So you see I don’t need an airplane to get this “California feeling”. There’re just few steps from my bed to the balconies. LOL! – But Bobbel Boy & Bobbeline already booked a flight to Los Angeles. – It’s an interesting airline (you surely don’t know :)) its name is: “Bobbel Flyaways” hahahahahaha… You can read & watch more of their “California adventures” on my blog and Pinterest anytime soon… this story will be continued…
JC says
Lived in India for many years. Loved it. Never traveled further south than Kolkata (Calcutta), but have heard the south has a beauty of its own. Things of interest, food gets spicier the further south you are, the local language in Kerala is Malayalam and when spoken sounds much like its name. If you get a chance, I highly recommend a visit to the Himalayan Mtns to the north where it is beautiful, cooler, & the air is cleaner. The British summer capital (when they owned India) is Shimla (Simla), and is a spectacular place to see with its extraordinary views and its unique location nestled in the side of a mountain. Be careful of the water in Delhi. Agra is home to the Taj Mahal, not much to see there besides that works famous tomb, but you can say you’ve seen it & if given the opportunity I would visit a marble factory there where they will show you how all the precious stones are inlaid in the marble and you’ll have a greater appreciation for the Taj Mahal. Have fun and enjoy the hospitality of the Indian culture. Try simosas!
Cassie Kifer says
Hi JC, thanks for your note and wonderful tips! Unfortunately, it was a very short trip and we couldn’t make it up north, but I’d love to get up there one day. I’ve always wanted to visit Darjeeling and Assam–I have a “tea travel bucket list: https://everintransit.com/tea-travel-destinations/ 🙂 We did make it to the tea plantations near Munnar, and it was more beautiful than I could have imagined.
I absolutely loved the food in Southern India, the spicier the better, and I really miss it. I’m going to start cooking some of my favorite dishes at home. The savory breakfasts are what I miss the most!
Aditya says
Hi Cassie…. I live in Mumbai and have been following your travel tales for a long time now.. In Mumbai you can visit the Juhu Beach to try on local food .. Do try the Pav Bhaji and Pani Puri..
Cassie Kifer says
Hi Aditya, thanks for this note! Unfortunately we didn’t make it up to Juhu Beach, and we went to Chowpatty first thing in the morning when the food vendors were closed, so we REALLY messed up on the street food front 🙁 I loved Mumbai, and hope to come back one day when I can spend more time. In the meantime, I’m heading up to a big Indian-American neighborhood in my city next weekend to visit a chaat place that I love, and I’ll be sure to try the Pav Baji and Pani Puri (Bhel Puri is an old favorite of mine!)