Kerala Blog Express 7th Edition 2023 Short Story

Namaskaram!

They quoted, “Start your India trip with Kerala” and I am 100% agree to that!

 

How should I put it in words? Kerala has been beyond amazing since the day one I arrived in Trivandrum Airport until the last day, we’re in Kochi. Going on journey from South to North of Kerala in 15 days have been so hectic yet never did one day left with good impressions. Truly, I just don't want this Kerala Blog Express trip to end!

so proud representing my Malaysia :)

Arrived in Trivandrum Airport with Suzzanita & Astari my dear roommate from Indonesia

Flashing back to few months ago when I stumbled upon an open application to join this Kerala Blog Express by the Kerala Tourism, I straight away asking my friends and followers to nominate me. HAHA yup I was barely forcing them to do so and guess what? its worth! OMG you guys are so awesome. Obviously, I am not able to thank each of you but I can only promise to work harder, continuously sharing the best content and make you guys proud of.

// Memorable moments 

 

This is really hard to pick as every day and every place has its own charms. Nevertheless, I would say staying one night in Houseboat in Allepy is one of the most memorable moment for me. Spending a “private night” with a small group of 6 people which later become a “family”, we’re having so much of fun by ourselves. The short but sweet houseboat trip was accompanied with a picturesque backdrop of Kerala’s backwater and stunning sunset. This is undoubtedly something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life! 

I always miss you guys! love my houseboat family, Ladyboss Denise, Raksha, Astari, Nikhil and My Kuku. thanks for the great moment guys, we created our own beautiful story in just an ordinary houseboat LOL i always believe that happiness is not determined by the place but rather the people you're with :')

 

// Kerala's culture, people, and landscapes

After the day 15, I can conclude that Kerala is all about nature and culture! We’re lucky enough to cover almost all the landscapes from town to the beach, backwater, hill, tea plantation, forest and even waterfall.

The diversity of its landscape is impressive as it also comes with scenic view and being well taken care of. I have shared some on my Instagram @sizzlingsuzai and later more details on this blog from time to time. Not to be over-reacted but I would say that Kerala really has it all!

Traveling is about being open and respect to one’s culture. From my point of view, I am seeing that Kathakali is a very strong icon in Kerala’s traditional and culture. We even have an opportunity watching this storytelling South Indian classical dance in Thekkady. It is an unique and aggressive expression via eyes, face, footwork and hands accompanied by a classic music and live vocal performance.

 

// Kerala Gastronomy

 

Being a Malaysian who is living in a multiracial country and growing up with variety of cuisines; Malay, Chinese and India, Kerala’s foods are not much different from what we have in here, Malaysia. I’m very familiar with paratha, poori, dosa, appam, panipuri and of course Beriyani.

Nevertheless, the foods that I tasted throughout the Kerala Blog Express journey were so delectable and my favourite would be the “Gulab Jamun” sorry guys I just realised I didn't take any food's photo LOL OMG coz it was so freaking hassle in between recording the video and bla bla bla 15 days guys 15 days! haha obviously, you couldn't cover every single thing.

Oh ya we even had a chance to visit the beautiful home of Celebrity Chef Ms Abida Rasheed while we were in Calicut. It is our pleasure to watch her live cooking and experiencing the scrumptious taste of Malabari Cuisine. omg that Malabar Biriyani is one of the best biriyani i've ever eaten!

 

// Personal growth or discoveries

 

Truly, this Kerala Blog Express trip really gives a big impact to me in which I didn’t see it coming! It is almost a month but I am still hardly moving on and still feeling so broken-hearted that KBE 7^th edition finally ended and the fact that I need to leave Kerala and the people, gosh it was so hard!

 

The Kerala people ahhhh are so sweet, friendly and full with smiles! I feel so welcomed and loved all the time. The amount of love that I received from the fellow creators, the crew and the people we met is overloaded. We’re getting closer to each other day by day and it was really hard to say farewell on the finale day :(

To be honest I come with zero expectation and go back home with overwhelming and beautiful memories. Kerala has 100% changed my perception towards traveling in India. It was nothing similar to what I have heard or being told before the trip.

Kerala is scenic, clean and safe! obviously guys, moral of the story is "Every cloud has a silver lining". so, it is totally unfair to judge Kerala because of your bad experience in other state of India.

 

Apart of that, I do realised that coming with a big and an open heart allowed me to see only the positive side and absorbing lot of positive energy. Never did I saw any ugly part along the journey, the places are all breath-taking, the hospitality is “adipoli” and the people obviously making me want to come back to Kerala as soonest as possible. 

Hence, lets always be kind because Harold S. Kushner quoted “when you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world.” 

Last but not least, as a Bollywood die-hard-fan, Kerala made me fallen in love with India deeper! HAHA and someone has slowly transforming me into listening to Malayalam's songs LOL thanks Kerala Tourism for inviting and giving me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of the #KBE 7.

Alhamdulillah may this Kerala Blog Express journey become a milestone for me to achieve more and finally living in my dream which is becoming a successful digital nomad traveling the world amin.

me with the crew who made me feel so welcomed and loved. From Left : Nisha the hardworking one, Ajay Tumba Senagude, haha Uncle Somjit, Jikku my kuku lol, Siddart the serious guy, Jo the comel one, Jinson the boss, Mr Manoj the best Tour Leader, Manikuti always just smiling and haha the one who always slept but super talented Navya. thanks guys hope to see ya again :') 

and all my fellow bloggers and content creators (instagram handle) :

@therealjoholley

@argentinayelmundo

@anna_pernice

@nomad.fran

@astarianadya

@flyingfluskey

@love_isintheairport

@sizzlingsuzai 

@therovingheart

@inhetvliegtuig

@travelforphoebe

@helenegrao

@augoutdemma

@suzannita

@kucukdunyayaprak

@annacarvalhotravels

@on_my_way_travel

@allyarcher

@lillagreen

@sthememelli

@somjitbhattacharyya

@araioflight

@tasteandtravel_pl

@kiguu_na_njia

Please come to Kerala guys as this place evokes beautiful memories that will make you leave with heavy heart! 🥹🫶🏻

To be continued..

xoxo