Tag: family time

A Dinner Without Rush – Rare Luxury in Madurai


Today we went out for dinner — my family and my friend’s family together.

Being a vegetarian in Madurai is not easy. Options are limited. And even in those few hotels, the model is mostly quick service. You order, food comes in 5 minutes, and before you finish your first dosa, you can feel eyes around you.

Three or four families standing nearby.
Waiting. Watching.
Silently asking, “Are you done?”

Irony is — we also do the same when we enter. We scan plates. We calculate who might leave first. We mentally reserve a table before it is even free.

There is no space to sit and talk. No time to laugh loudly. No feeling of outing. Just eating and leaving.

But today was different.

We went to Marudheeswara Restaurant at Iyer Bungalow.

Yes, we had to wait for 30 minutes.
But surprisingly, it didn’t feel like waiting.

They made us sit in a garden-style entrance area. Antique setup. Calm lights. Pleasant breeze. It felt like we had already started our dinner before entering the dining hall.

Once inside, the menu itself felt refreshing.
Not the usual routine items.
It had a unique fusion South Indian touch. Even the utensils were artistic and different. Small details, but they mattered.

Food?
Average to good.

But experience?
Very good.

That is what stood out.

We spent almost 90 minutes there. Talking. Laughing. Kids enjoying their food peacefully. Nobody standing behind us. Nobody pushing us with their eyes.

For 7 members, the bill came to around ₹2500 — less than ₹400 per person. Slightly premium for Madurai standards, but honestly, what we paid for was not just food. It was time.

After a long, long time, we had a dinner in Madurai where we ate without rush.

Sometimes luxury is not five-star food.
Sometimes luxury is simply not being hurried.

The Kochi That My Family Didn’t Sign Up For


This Kochi trip… let’s just say it didn’t turn out the way I imagined.

Originally, it was meant to be a vacation in Varkala. Bags were packed, moods were set, but just the day before, my friend called and dropped the bomb—“It’s raining heavily, the beach is closed. Better head to Kochi instead.” He even arranged things for us there.

So, on Independence Day morning, we started driving at 9 AM. The route? Poopara, Rajakumari, Adimali, and finally Kochi. It was a 9-hour rain-soaked drive. I personally loved it—rain, mountains, long drive. But my family? Not so much.

The first letdown: the hotel. It was good, but I realized something new—my kids aren’t fans of hotels, they’re fans of resorts. They wanted pools and games, not a business-class room with white sheets.

So, I thought I’d lift the mood with a metro ride to Lulu Mall. Bad idea. My kids turned to me in unison: “Appa, why bring us to a mall? We have malls in Chennai!” Strike two.

Next day, we explored Fort Kochi, Jew Town, Dutch houses, Chinese fishing nets—all the things tourists are “supposed” to do. My son looked at me like I dragged him into a history lesson. When I finally tried to save the day with Fort Kochi Beach, the rain gods came back in full force. We took shelter at the Water Metro station and I thought—“aha, water metro!” But nope, kids didn’t enjoy that either.

By now, my wife had her own verdict: “You stole my long weekend rest for this?” Ouch.

Sunday morning, we packed up, ate the package breakfast, and drove another 9 hours back to Madurai. End of trip.

But here’s the silver lining:
I may have failed at giving them the “perfect holiday,” but I learned something important. My kids and wife don’t need surprises or tourist checklists. All they want is a resort stay—where my wife can rest, and my kids can splash in the pool and play. Simple.

So, while Kochi didn’t become their favorite memory, it gave me clarity. And that’s still a win in my book.