Another Sweet Day

I had my first birthday since Ikey arrived and now Ani had the chance. Happy to be his parents and for this wonderful day!

Salt, Chilli and Mangoes

Year end vacations aka summer vacations were awaited with much anticipation during our childhood days. This is the time where we indulge with friends and games followed by activities like swimming and mango harvesting etc. 

Oh yes - mango harvesting from any tress which came in front of us were fun. Doesn't matter to whom it belonged to. No one complained about plucking couple of mangoes from their trees during the summer time.

And we had our own and widely accepted recipe to eat mangoes. Make salt and chilli powder mix, dip the mango in it and enjoy!. Wink your eyes due to the extreme sourness from the fresh mango and continue to eat.

It is still the best way to enjoy fresh Kerala mangoes.

Ani wanted to go back to the above memory lane when we saw bunch of mangoes all around. And it was great to go back to the good old childhood days!

New Facts Of Life

Traveling to Kerala is always a much anticipated event for me and Ani now. The apartment life is so boring these days that we really need a change every two months. Then we drive down to our wonderful Kerala (except the climate >sweating<).

A run away vacation. However, this time it was more exciting for us as Ikey joined the trip. He has only seen the white roof and ever running fan since his birth. On Fridays and Sunday’s, on the way to the church, he will see some electric post through the car window. That’s it. 

He didn't have any idea on what fresh air means or how the sky look great through a tree filled backyard. So we decided to take backyard stroll on the day we reached Kerala. 

We spent an hour on the backyard, enjoyed the shades from the tall trees and got to know the flowers and lots of fresh air. Ikey enjoyed and smiled at us like never before.

Visiting Home Town For The First Time

That was a long awaited journey for us. Taking Ikey for the first time to our home town in Kerala. There were lot of people awaiting to see him for the first time. We were thrilled, but little worried on whether the journey will make him uncomfortable. However, he was all good and enjoyed the trip.

So it took 2.5 hours extra than we usually need to travel. We started off at 4:15 am in the morning. Wrapped him and assigned sift wise care from Ani and Mummy. 

Me and Ani enjoyed the drive always. In-fact, Ani was so excited as she is having the first long journey after an year. And that reflected. It was fun talking and discussing various things in this world, all through the journey. 

Mummy used to be uncomfortable during the car journey. However, as Ikey was in her arms, she forgot about everything else. Engaging him and telling him about the things around, she too enjoyed the moments.

Surpassing the Western Ghats and approaching the Tamilnadu-Palakkad border, lies this signage. Welcome To Kerala State. 

This was the primary character in our journey's photography script. Ani noted this before and suggested to have a click with Ikey at this point.

The sad part is that it reminds how things are kept under ignorance by the Kerala authorities. How much will it take to paint it and keep it clean? 

The one factor of Bangalore-Kerala journey remained the same. The pit-stop at Saravana Bhavan hotel. We didn't want to miss it for any reason. So we took a break...

The ultimate combination as far as I am concerned for breakfast. Fresh crispy vada + Ghee roasted pongal + signature sambar + Freshly grinded coconut chutney. Happiness!

The energy booster. After a 6+ hours of drive, this coffee does the magic

Ani's favorite Ghee Roast + Sides

Mummy's Favorite Masala Dosa + Sides. I tried to click the masala mix inside :)

Ani is never happy with her first order. So came the second one. The pyramid ghee roast + sides. 

I never ignore a good restaurant nor forget to appreciate. Long live!

On the way, Ani noticed a palm fruit seller. Her grandma loves it. And she wanted to get some for her. So a pit-stop which is not in the script.

Showcased to lure in the customers. And Ani fell in it.

Practice makes a person perfect. He prepares the order in seconds.

I don't like this anyway. But Ani tasted it and said it was yummy. 

A special trip for us and for all our dear ones.

All Moments Are To Savour

Oh yes! Busy days going on. Busy at office, busy at home, busy with traveling. However, all these comes packed with tons of joy and happiness. The tiredness is getting over by being with the dear ones.