Soles of a Nomad

Tired, dusty, and mildly marinated in sweat, we arrived at Palolem Beach and found paradise. This nuts and bolts guide offers practical tips, funny stories, and serious vindaloo recommendations from our sun-drenched week in one of Goa’s most charming beach escapes.

Booking train tickets in India almost broke me. But riding those trains across the country—through AC classes, sleeper bunks, and samosa-stuffed compartments—was one of the best travel experiences of my life. Here’s what it’s like to navigate India’s railway madness as a family of five.

While staying at a small homestay in Kochi, India, we met Linda. She wasn’t just our host—she became a part of our journey, offering kindness, connection, and a glimpse into the emotional depth that sometimes finds you when you least expect it. This is the human side of travel.

Kochi challenged our lungs and won our hearts. In a city where the streets are cleaner than most of India but the air turns to ash by dawn, we found humor, irony, and unexpected beauty.

What do you do in the Kerala backwaters? Absolutely nothing—and that’s the point. We boarded a houseboat in Alleppey, floated past palm trees and pigeon-pecked laundry, and mastered the noble art of stillness.

A family travel guide to Madurai, India—temples, chaos, dosa, rooftop views, and a surprising brush with fame. Because travel.

From bureaucracy to breathtaking temples, our arrival in Madurai reminded us why we travel. One night in India, and we found our travel smile again.