From Tuk Tuks to Houseboats: Our Month in India

India is one of the most colorful and exciting countries in the world. From the spicy street food to the crazy traffic, everything feels like an adventure. My family and I traveled through different parts of India, and I got to experience some of the coolest things—from riding in tuk-tuks to visiting the world-famous Taj Mahal. Here are some of my favorite moments from our trip!


1: Street Food in Chennai

Walking through the streets of Chennai felt like playing Crossy Road in real life. Tuk-tuks, cars, and motorcycles zoomed past us, and we had to be quick to dodge them—it was both terrifying and fun! Chennai is famous for its street food, and my parents were excited to try everything. Did you know that Chennai is known as the food capital of South India? The city is famous for dishes like idli, dosa, and spicy Chettinad cuisine. Unfortunately, most of the food was way too spicy for me, so I stuck to drinking fresh coconut water and some of the milder foods. But seeing all the different foods, colorful stalls, and street vendors was really cool. If you ever visit Chennai, I’d definitely recommend doing a food tour—just be ready for the heat!
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​2: Riding in Tuk-Tuks

If you think Indian traffic is wild, wait until you ride in a tuk-tuk! These tiny three-wheeled vehicles are one of the most common (and most fun) ways to get around. Riding in a tuk-tuk feels like being in a real-life video game—dodging cars, squeezing through tiny streets, and zipping past buses. My favorite part? Bargaining for the price! I love arguing with tuk-tuk drivers, and their reactions are hilarious when you offer them a ridiculously low price. It’s all part of the fun. Pro tip: Always negotiate, or you’ll probably end up paying double what a ride actually costs!

3: Staying Overnight on a Houseboat

In Allepey, Kerala, we got to stay on a houseboat, which was one of the most unique things I’ve ever done. Houseboats were originally used to transport rice, spices, and goods through the backwaters, but now they’re mostly for tourists. Our boat was small but super cozy, and we spent most of our time on the deck, watching the peaceful jungle scenery pass by. The best part? The ice cream boat! A tiny canoe pulled up next to us, selling different flavors of ice cream, including kulfi, a creamy Indian dessert made from milk, sugar, and cardamom. Eating ice cream while floating through the backwaters was definitely a highlight of the trip!
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4: Visiting the Taj Mahal (and other sites in Agra)

The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous landmarks in the world, and after seeing it in person, I understand why. Built in the 1600s by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife, the Taj Mahal is made entirely of white marble that changes color depending on the time of day. It was even more beautiful than I expected, with massive gardens and intricate designs on the walls. The only downside? The three-hour drive from New Delhi felt like forever. But once we got there, it was totally worth it. The Taj Mahal is definitely one of the coolest places I’ve ever been! 

5: Exploring a Spice Farm & Tea Plantation

India has been known for its spices for centuries—in fact, 70% of the world’s spices come from India! In Munnar (in the state of Kerala), we visited a local spice farm where we got to see, touch, smell, and even taste different spice plants. I loved tasting the fresh cinnamon and smelling the jasmine flowers. We also visited the Lockhart Tea Company plantation, where we saw how tea leaves are hand-picked, dried, and processed. It was crazy to see how much work goes into making a single cup of tea!

India was full of surprises, from the delicious food to the chaotic streets and beautiful scenery. While some parts were overwhelming (like the traffic and spice levels), everything we did was an adventure. Whether it was bargaining for tuk-tuk rides, eating ice cream on a houseboat, or standing in front of the Taj Mahal, every experience was something I’ll never forget. 

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