From Rum to Responsibility – The Kumarakom Detox

After surviving a night of nostalgic banter, middle-aged drinking limits, and zero pool time, I woke up the next morning with a head full of memories and the beginnings of a gentle headache. No time to waste though—I had to quickly switch roles from boisterous bachelor party survivor to responsible family vacationer. 😎

Destination: Kumarakom

I met my family at Kumarakom and we checked into Taj Kumarakom, an expansive, green paradise tucked between the serene backwaters and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. The kids were thrilled with activities on offer—kayaking, fishing, zip-lining, pool, indoor and outdoor games - some were paid but Kids were engaged, Wifey was happy and I just... reclined.

Evening adventure? Raw Kerala vibes.

In the evening, we decided to do something raw and real. No fancy houseboats or touristy cruises—we boarded a local government ferry that takes villagers from point A to point B. The boat ride gave us front-row seats to the raw life along the backwaters— we passed tiny homes, washing lines, ducks, small canoes and sleepy dogs—all living their best backwater lives. It was slow, scenic, soulful, and occasionally smelly (authenticity comes at a price).

The real Kerala experience—the kallu shaappu. 😛

After that peaceful ride, it was time for some real Kerala flavor - we headed to a local toddy shop - Kilikoodu Kallu Shaapu, where spicy seafood and fermented coconut juice come together to create fireworks—mostly in your mouth, sometimes in your stomach. We ordered the full works: kappa, karimeen pollichathu, chemmeen fry, crab roast — all washed down with locally brewed toddy.

The next morning, powered by fermented dreams and a mild toddy hangover, I took a peaceful walk along the backwaters, where the only sound was that of chirping birds and quiet flowing river.

Morning rolled around with an absolutely glorious breakfast buffet— The spread was fantastic—continental, Kerala-style, and everything in between. Idiyappams, puttu, sausages, pancakes, smoothies, croissants... - I took three rounds. Purely for research.

And finally, it was time to check out—emotionally, spiritually, and literally. We said goodbye to the calm waters of Kumarakom, stuffed the car with memories (and dried prawns that stunk up the car for days reminding of Kumarakom trip), and headed home. I was still happy we made it from Rum 98 reunion to Kumarakom detox without needing any medical attention.

Life is short. Reunite with old friends. Then recover in a pool while your kids zipline over your head.

Part 1 - Rum 98 Reunion: Engineering the Ultimate Get-Together (Finally)