A Solo Adventure: My Alleppey Experience

Every great adventure begins with a spark of excitement and a touch of uncertainty—and mine was no different. The thought of exploring Alleppey had been a dream destination on my bucket list, even before I moved to Bangalore. After almost two years in the city and exploring places in and around Bangalore, I finally got the chance to check it off.

It was a long weekend for Holi, and I did the usual, I asked my friends if they were up for a trip. And, of course, everyone had plans or “some work” (we all know that one friend who says that). This time, however, I was determined—I wasn’t going to let this holiday slip by.

So, I decided to do something daring—I planned to go solo. Was I a bit nervous? Absolutely. Was I determined to not let this chance slip? You bet! But after some strong encouragement from my friend Neha and my flatmate Nikita, I made up my mind, I packed my bags for my first true solo trip—no travel groups, no companions, just me.

The journey began with my train ticket, which was waitlisted and playing a thrilling game of "will it or won’t it?" Thankfully, the universe aligned, and it got confirmed on the day of the journey. When I finally boarded the train, I couldn’t help but think, “I did it!” Even though part of me was still wondering how this solo travel thing would actually pan out.

From Solitude to Connection

I reached Alleppey in the early morning—5 AM to be exact. It was dark. And quiet. And a little intimidating, to be honest. I waited for the sun to make an appearance before grabbing an auto for my stay at Zostel. Right from the start, the people in Alleppey were incredibly kind and helpful, making my first impression of the place even better. The locals were approachable, and many spoke English fluently, which eliminated the language barrier I had initially feared and that made me feel more confident about exploring the city solo.

Zostel was cozy, and after some much-needed rest and breakfast, I was ready to take on the day. Now, here’s where things got interesting—I had two interviews scheduled that day (yes, I know, very ambitious of me). It also happened to be Holi, and the Zostel crew had a party planned at 3 PM. My first interview was at 1 PM, and I thought, “Let’s multitask; why not?” After all, this trip was about breaking the usual routine!

After the first interview, I tried to avoid the Holi party because I had a second interview at 4 PM. But, as anyone who has ever experienced Holi knows- nobody lets you go untouched. Before I realize it, I was drenched in colors and laughter. Somehow, I managed to clean up just in time for the second interview, which surprisingly went well. The Zostel folks even cheered me on like I was their star player—what a start to the trip!

Later, I made two friends- an unexpected but delightful twist to my day. I had noticed them sitting nearby while I was giving my interviews. After I finished, we started talking, and that’s how our friendship began. Who would’ve thought that while stressing over interviews, I’d also end up making friends? Sometimes, life truly has a funny way of surprising us!

Krushangi and Raghul, and together, we decided to explore Marari Beach. We rented a scooty (which I didn’t know how to ride, so they kindly took over), to enjoy the sunset. It was perfect—a beautiful evening with good food (yes, duck roast!) and even better company. By the end of the day, I felt like I’d known them forever. That’s how my first day ended: full of color, connections, and new experiences.

Paddling Through Paradise

The second day kicked off bright and early at 5 AM with something I’d always wanted to try—Kayaking. Kayaking was always on my to-do list, but back pain and other excuses had held me back. The famous backwaters of Alleppey were calling, and I couldn’t resist. The dense coconut and mango trees lining the waterways made it feel like a dream.

Kayaking turned out to be harder than I imagined (cue shaky arms and sore shoulders), and for a moment, I thought about giving up. But the stunning views and the kind people around me kept me going. I even plucked a mango from a tree and chatted with villagers along the way—it was as surreal as it sounds. By the end of the ride, I was exhausted but proud. Another bucket list item, checked!

After breakfast, my little circle of friends expanded when I met Lincy, who turned out to be a fantastic companion. The four of us went for lunch at Suhas Kerala Fish Thali, which was every bit as good as we’d heard. Post-lunch, we strolled through Alleppey’s streets, loaded up on banana chips (a must!), and capped off the day with a thrilling speedboat ride in the backwaters. Exploring Alleppey felt incredibly safe, even as a solo female traveler. I always felt at ease, which made the adventure even more enjoyable.

As evening set in, it was time to say goodbye to Krushangi and Raghul as they headed back to Bangalore. Solo travel, however, had more surprises in store—I ended up joining a new group for dinner, bonding over Kerala parottas and chicken. Day two was a whirlwind of food, fun, and newfound friendships.

A Rollercoaster of Adventures

The third and final day started with a peaceful solo morning stroll to the beach, a park, and the lighthouse. It felt nice to soak in the calm before the chaos that was about to unfold. After breakfast with Lincy, I started packing up to leave for Bangalore. Here’s the twist—my train tickets (both confirmed and Tatkal) didn’t make the cut. Uh-oh.

Panic started creeping in as I realized I had no way back. My peaceful plans for a Shikara sunset ride were quickly replaced by a frantic search for a way to return to Bangalore by Monday morning. Thankfully, the helpful team at Zostel suggested heading to Kochi for better bus options. Within minutes, I packed my bags and hopped on a bus to Kochi, hoping to figure things out on the fly.

Kochi turned out to be such a wonderful surprise. It made me believe in the saying, "Whatever happens, happens for the best." If both my tickets had been confirmed, I wouldn’t have discovered this amazing place.

Anyway, I had a great time exploring Kochi—riding the metro and even India’s first water metro. And the best part? I got to see dolphins while traveling through the water! A friendly auto driver offered to zip me around Fort Kochi in under an hour, and I got to experience its charming Dutch-style lanes. Eating prawns while zooming around in his auto! Definitely a highlight.

But the day wasn’t done throwing curveballs at me yet. I was running late for my bus, and the driver threatened to leave without me. Enter another kind of auto driver who drove like a superhero, weaving through traffic and getting me there just in time. It felt like something straight out of a movie!

As I sat on the bus, finally heading back to Bangalore, I couldn’t stop smiling. The trip had been a mix of chaos and calm, laughter and nerves, and above all, the joy of stepping out of my comfort zone.

This trip was everything I didn’t expect—packed with firsts, surprises, and wonderful people. From Holi to kayaking, from making new friends to racing against time, Alleppey taught me the magic of solo travel and embracing the unexpected. It was a journey of pushing boundaries. It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.