Visit to Mothalapozhi in June 2026 - A little coastal escape to Muthalapozhi!

Morning by the estury

Bridge - Kadinamkulam

Bought this fish from the angelers

Fish Grill

Anglers on the rock

Lone Angler

 Just about 15 km from home, Muthalapozhi in Perumathura, near Chirayinkeezhu, makes for an interesting little drive.

It's a fishing harbour and a good spot for those interested in fishing or simply watching the activities around a traditional fishing community.

One of the things I like about this place is the opportunity to buy fresh catch directly from the anglers and professional fishermen returning with their day's catch. There is something special about buying fish so close to where it comes from!

It's also a place to pause, observe the local fishing activity and enjoy a different side of our coastline.

Just one wish, though.

I wish the surroundings were kept a little cleaner. Perhaps the Panchayat could place a couple of well-maintained dustbins at convenient spots so that visitors and local people have somewhere to dispose of their waste.

A place that offers so much to visitors and the local community deserves to be kept clean and welcoming.

Let's enjoy our coastal spots, but let's also take responsibility for keeping them beautiful. 


Marina

Keralam Dishes - Fish Curry lessons for an Expat from New Zealand

  Appam and Fish Curry Lessons        

Indian Cooking Lessons in Trivandrum – A Culinary Experience with Clare from New Zealand

There is something special about sharing the knowledge of Indian cooking with someone who is discovering its flavours, techniques and little secrets for the first time.

Our first Indian cooking lesson in October 2026 was a lovely experience. Clare, who is from New Zealand, joined me for a hands-on cooking session in Trivandrum. It was an opportunity to introduce her to some much-loved Indian dishes, share my cooking knowledge and, more importantly, help her understand the little nuances that make Indian food so distinctive.

Rather than simply following recipes, the idea behind these lessons is to understand the ingredients, cooking methods, flavour combinations and techniques that go into preparing each dish.

For this session, we explored a combination of traditional Kerala cuisine and North Indian cooking.

What We Cooked Together

1. Fish Molee – A Kerala Favourite

Fish Molee is a popular Kerala fish preparation cooked in a gently spiced coconut milk gravy. Flavoured with ginger, green chillies, curry leaves and a touch of pepper, it has a delicate, creamy taste without overpowering the flavour of the fish. It is particularly delicious when served with appam.

2. Appam – The Soft and Lacy Kerala Pancake

Appam is a traditional Kerala breakfast favourite made from fermented rice batter and coconut. It has a soft, fluffy centre and thin, crispy edges. Getting the right batter consistency and fermentation is an important part of making good appams.

3. Kerala Fish Curry – A Taste of Coastal Cooking

A traditional Kerala fish curry is known for its distinctive combination of spices, tanginess and rich flavours. Depending on the regional style, it can be prepared with ingredients such as kudampuli (Malabar tamarind), chilli powder, turmeric, ginger and curry leaves. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice.

4. Dal – A Simple Yet Comforting Indian Dish

Dal is one of the everyday staples of Indian cooking. We prepared a flavourful lentil dish using cooked dal, spices and a tempering of aromatic ingredients. The beauty of dal lies in its simplicity, and learning how to get the consistency and seasoning right makes all the difference.

5. North Indian Style Roti – The Everyday Indian Flatbread

Roti is an unleavened Indian flatbread made with whole wheat flour, water and a little salt. We explored the process of kneading the dough, rolling it into thin rounds and cooking it on a hot tawa. Learning to make soft, evenly cooked rotis is a useful skill for anyone interested in everyday Indian cooking.

More Than Just Recipes - Travel Tips in Trivandrum

One of the things I enjoy about conducting cooking lessons is the opportunity to share the little details that rarely find their way into written recipes.

Why do we add certain spices at a particular stage? How do we know when the fish is cooked just right? What makes an appam batter ferment properly? These are some of the questions we explore during a session.

Cooking is as much about observation and understanding as it is about following instructions.

It was lovely having Clare from New Zealand join me for this first October session. I hope she carries back not just the recipes, but also a little understanding of the food culture, flavours and cooking traditions of India.

Indian Cooking Classes in Trivandrum

I conduct personalised, hands-on Indian cooking lessons in Trivandrum for visitors, expatriates, food enthusiasts and anyone interested in learning to prepare Indian food.

The sessions can cover Kerala specialities, North Indian dishes, everyday Indian meals and selected regional recipes.

Whether you are visiting Kerala and want to take home a culinary experience, or simply wish to become more confident in your Indian cooking, these lessons offer an opportunity to learn directly through practice.

Because the best way to understand Indian food is not just to taste it, but to learn how to cook it!


Marina 


Few recipes to try at home:

1. Fish Molee 
2. Roti making 
3. Dal 
4. Coconut fish curry 
5. Appam recipe 

New Morning Water Routine - Clove Infused Water

Clove Infused Water

Recently, I started experimenting with clove-infused water.

I simply add three whole cloves to a glass of water and leave it overnight.

The next morning, I drink the infused water and discard the cloves.

I came across a few reels highlighting its potential health benefits, so I thought I'd give this traditional practice a try!

 

Appam and Egg Roast

Appam for breakfast

So, in our house we make appam, once a week! And, today we had appam and egg curry. So, what are the typical breakfast we make at home across the week:

Here's the basic list:

• Dosa and sambar or chutney
• Puttu and pazham ( Banana)
• Idli and sambar 
• Poori and potato masala 
• Appam and curry or mutta appam ( Here's the recipe to make appam)
• Upama 
• Bread and bullseye ( On Sunday's)

And, today it's the turn of appam for breakfast. Btw, we use cheenachatti ( (a traditional deep iron wok or skillet ) to make appam at home. In Trivandrum it's available in most shops which sells kitchen related vessels, such as Style Plus, Lulu Mall, Ibrahim & Sons Chalai, Jolly and Jolly a shop at Kumarapuram, Trivandrum. 

For online, you can check many sites. Here's one such store - Zishta or you can check at Amazon. 

 

The King's Vegetable Garden: The Story Behind the Street I Live

Sri Moolam Thirunal

Sir Sri Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma

Sir Sri Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma VI was the Maharaja of the princely state of Travancore from 1885 to 1924. He is remembered as a progressive ruler who introduced important administrative, educational and social reforms, helping Travancore move towards a more participatory system of governance.

Key contributions and achievements

- Public participation in governance: Established the Travancore Legislative Council in 1888, creating an early institutional platform for discussing legislation and administration. He later introduced the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha in 1904, providing a platform for representatives of the people to raise public concerns.

- Progressive administration: Encouraged education, improved public infrastructure and supported administrative reforms that contributed to Travancore's development.

- British honour: The prefix "Sir" was a British knighthood honour bestowed upon him in recognition of his standing and service.

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I'm currently staying on Sri Moolam Road, in Kumarapuram, Trivandrum. The street is named after a former Maharaja of Travancore, and it carries an interesting piece of local history.

It is said that this neighbourhood, along with the surrounding land, once served as a vegetable garden supplying produce to Kowdiar Palace, the royal residence of the Travancore Maharajas.

Interestingly, a few houses in this area still have old title deeds and land records tracing their ownership back to the royal estate. Over time, these properties were transferred from the royal holdings to their present-day owners.

It's fascinating to imagine that what is now an ordinary residential street was once connected to the everyday workings of the Travancore royal household. Interestingly, the adjacent house has a well that is believed to date back to the King's time. Perhaps it was used to water the vegetable gardens that once supplied produce to the royal palace.

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Sree Moolam Road ( Where I stay)

Exploring Trivandrum – Beyond the Usual Tourist Attractions

Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala, has much more to offer than its well-known temples, beaches and museums. Beyond the conventional tourist circuit, the city has colourful markets, peaceful wetlands, historic neighbourhoods and fascinating glimpses of everyday local life.

Here are three experiences worth exploring if you want to discover a different side of Trivandrum.

1. A Walk Through Chalai Market

Old, bustling and wonderfully colourful, Chalai Market offers an authentic glimpse into the everyday life of Trivandrum. Its narrow lanes are filled with shops selling everything from spices and flowers to textiles, household goods and traditional Ayurvedic herbs.

- Explore the variety: Discover shops selling spices, fresh flowers, sarees, brassware, metal utensils and traditional household products.

- Experience local life: Observe the traders, shoppers and small businesses that have kept this historic marketplace lively for generations.

2. Sunrise or Sunset at Vellayani Lake and the Punchakkari Belt

A refreshing escape from the city's busy streets, Vellayani Lake and the surrounding Punchakkari belt offer a beautiful combination of freshwater landscapes, wetlands, village roads and agricultural fields. It is an ideal setting for those who enjoy slow travel and nature.

- Enjoy the outdoors: Look out for lotus-covered waters, birds, open landscapes and beautiful sunrise or sunset views.

- Take the scenic route: Explore the village roads around Punchakkari, with its farms, wetlands and opportunities to discover small local food stops.

3. Explore the Old Town and Temple Streets Around East Fort

The neighbourhood around East Fort and West Fort offers a fascinating glimpse into Trivandrum's architectural and cultural history. Beyond the famous Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, take time to explore the quieter lanes and traditional residential streets.

Traditional Agraharams - Heritage houses built for Tamil Brahmin communities near Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

- Discover the Agraharams: These distinctive, closely arranged row houses were traditionally home to Tamil Brahmin communities who settled in Travancore, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries.

- Experience the old-town atmosphere: Notice the traditional architecture, narrow lanes and how generations-old neighbourhoods have adapted to contemporary city life