Sometimes, the best journeys are the ones that aren't perfectly planned. A solo trip fueled by the desire to experience a new train, reunite with old friends, and wander through the historic streets of Kochi.
This solo trip was not strictly planned out with an itinerary. Instead, it was driven by two main purposes: to experience a journey on the brand-new Vande Bharat Express train, and to meet up with some dear old friends in Alappuzha, followed by a short, spontaneous exploration of Kochi. For someone who deeply appreciates the rhythm of different public transit systems, this two-day adventure turned into the ultimate joyride.
The journey started early in the morning. My cousin Muthu generously dropped me off at Othukkungal on his bike, from where I caught a local bus to Tirur. The morning air was fresh, and the anticipation of the train ride ahead kept me wide awake.
The Vande Bharat Experience: Speed, Comfort, and a Small Sacrifice
I stood waiting at the Tirur Railway Station. Suddenly, a special announcement echoed through the speakers, catching everyone's attention. It was for the brand-new Vande Bharat Express, servicing the route from Mangalore to Thiruvananthapuram via Alappuzha. As the train glided into the station, its sleek, aerodynamic, white-and-blue exterior looked striking against the traditional station backdrop.
Stepping inside through the automatic sliding doors felt like entering the cabin of a modern aircraft. The train was impeccably neat and clean. The interiors were brightly lit, fully air-conditioned, and featured plush, ergonomic seating with large panoramic windows designed to take in the passing scenery. It was a masterpiece of modern Indian railway engineering.
I had excitedly pre-booked a window seat to enjoy the views. However, when I reached my row, I found someone already sitting there. They politely requested if they could keep the seat. Now, I really loved that window seat. But when somebody requests something of me, I simply cannot say no; it is just how my character is built. I don't believe this trait is strictly negative or positive. Sometimes it helps me, and sometimes it results in a small personal loss. I quietly took the aisle seat.
The journey itself was buttery smooth. The onboard catering staff served hot tea and biscuits, which added to the comfort. We sped past Shoranur and Thrissur. Finally, after Ernakulam, the passenger disembarked, and I happily reclaimed my window seat for the scenic stretch down to Alleppey. Along the way, I struck up a conversation with a lovely couple traveling for medical treatment. When we reached Alappuzha, we shared an auto-rickshaw from the railway station to the bus stand, a nice little moment of shared travel.
A Reunion in the Paddy Fields of Alappuzha
From the Alappuzha bus stand, I called my friend Vishnu. Following his instructions, I took a bus heading towards Changanasseri and got down at Kidangara. I only had to wait a few moments before Vishnu pulled up in his car. Vishnu and I go way back; we used to work together at the Taj Polyclinic. It felt amazing to see a familiar face.
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We drove to the Garudagiri Toddy Shop and Restaurant. The location was breathtaking—situated right next to a wide, expansive green paddy field that stretched out as far as the eye could see. It was the perfect, peaceful rural Kerala setting. There, we were joined by our other former colleagues, Cheriyan and Vinod. They warmly welcomed us into a cozy little dining hut.
A Feast to Remember: Cheriyan hosted us with the absolute best specialties Garudagiri had to offer. Our table was soon covered with spicy fish curry, steaming hot tapioca (kappa), rich chicken curry, traditional Kuttanadan duck roast, flaky layered porottas, and soft appams. We laughed, shared memories, and enjoyed the incredible food in the breeze of the paddy fields.
After lunch, we visited Cheriyan’s home, where I had the pleasure of meeting his family. Before I left, Cheriyan handed me a wonderful addition to my collection. Knowing my passion for collecting building miniatures from around the world, I had previously requested one, and his daughter kindly brought a beautiful miniature of the CN Tower all the way from Canada just for me. It was a incredibly thoughtful gesture, and that CN Tower now holds a proud place in my collection back home.
Saying goodbye was hard, but the journey had to continue. Vishnu dropped me at the Changanasseri railway station. I caught a long-distance train heading to Ernakulam. It was heavily crowded, and I had to stand the entire way to Ernakulam South. Arriving at night, I walked to the nearest Kochi Metro station, took a quick, comfortable ride to MG Road, and walked to my cousin's flat near the KSRTC bus stand. We had a late dinner, and I crashed for the night, exhausted but happy.
Day 2: Gliding on the Kochi Water Metro
The next morning marked the beginning of my Kochi exploration. Starting from the KSRTC bus stand, I took a city bus to Vyttila Hub. From there, it was a short walk to the Water Metro terminal. I caught the 8:30 AM water metro heading to Kakkanad.
If you haven't experienced the Kochi Water Metro, you are missing out on an incredible piece of urban transit. These are not your average ferry boats; they are state-of-the-art, air-conditioned, battery-powered vessels that offer the comfort of a modern metro train on the water. The journey to Kakkanad took about 20 minutes, gliding smoothly over the backwaters. Looking out through the wide glass windows at the amazing greenish Kerala beauty—the calm waters reflecting the morning sun, framed by dense coconut groves and small islands—was a deeply therapeutic experience.
Bike Rides and City Vibes: Infopark to Fort Kochi
When I arrived at the Kakkanad terminal, my cousin Mahmood was waiting for me on his bike. He works as a software engineer at TCS in Infopark. We started our morning with a hot cup of tea and some local snacks from a nearby tea shop. Afterward, I hopped on the back of his bike, and we went exploring.
Riding through Infopark and Smart City is like stepping into a different world. Compared to the rustic backwaters I had just crossed, this area was a sprawling hub of modern architecture. We cruised past massive, gleaming glass-facade buildings, beautifully landscaped green IT campuses, and wide, clean avenues. Feeling the cool morning breeze on the bike while navigating through this high-tech urban landscape was a fantastic contrast to the rest of the trip.
After the tour, Mahmood dropped me at the bus station. I boarded a local city bus, thoroughly enjoying the vibrant, chaotic city vibe as we drove through the bustling streets until I reached Marine Drive. I took a leisurely walk along the famous promenade before heading to the High Court Water Metro terminal. From there, I took another water metro ride, this time to Vypin. This route offered a completely different visual experience, featuring stunning views of the massive cranes at the Vallarpadam Container Terminal and the lush greenery of Bolgatty Island.
Reaching Vypin, a short walk brought me to the Jankar Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) ferry service. I loved the mechanical efficiency of this service. I walked aboard the large vessel, sharing the deck with cars, bikes, and other travelers, and we slowly crossed the channel to the historic shores of Fort Kochi.
The Timeless Charm of Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi is a place where time seems to stand still. I spent hours walking through the shaded, heritage streets. The massive Chinese fishing nets lining the beach were a sight to behold, rising and falling rhythmically against the backdrop of the sea.
I wandered past colorful colonial-era bungalows with their sloping roofs and creeping bougainvillea. A highlight was visiting the Vasco da Gama Church (St. Francis Church), one of the oldest European churches in India. Standing inside the quiet, high-ceilinged structure, looking at the original burial spot of the famous explorer, gave me a profound sense of history. Before leaving, I spent some time browsing the quaint local shops and purchased a few unique souvenirs to remember the trip by.
The Journey Home
With my legs tired but my heart full, I caught an auto-rickshaw back to the boat jetty and took a traditional ferry boat back to the mainland. Walking towards the nearest metro station, hunger finally caught up with me. I stopped at a local restaurant and treated myself to a steaming, flavorful plate of biryani.
Re-energized, I boarded the Kochi Metro and traveled to Edappally. I spent the late afternoon roaming around the massive Lulu Mall, doing some light shopping and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. As evening approached, I took the metro one last time back to Vyttila Hub bus station.
I had already booked my return ticket on a KSRTC A/C bus. The bus arrived right on time in the evening. I settled into my reclining seat, watching the city lights fade into the darkness of the highway. After a few hours of peaceful nighttime journey, I finally reached Kottakkal around midnight. My cousin Muthu was waiting there on his bike, just as he had been at the start of the trip, ready to take me back home.
About the Author: IKBAL VALIYATHODI
Ikbal is an active traveler and storyteller who loves organizing regional trips and documenting his journeys here on ishabil.com. Balancing his professional life with his passion for exploration, Ikbal has a deep fascination with urban transit systems—from modern rail networks to city buses. When he isn't navigating a new city's public transport, managing his website, or capturing travel moments through his lens, he enjoys adding to his unique collection of physical currency and miniature representations of global landmarks.
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