Published on September 17, 2025 2:18 AM

Hello, Dear Readers!

Buckle up, as I’m about to share with you one of the craziest experiences of my solo trip I took through the South India and by the end of this article I am sure I will give you reasons as to why you should take one for yourself. Picture this: a solo traveller (that’s me), a bunch of cities, and a backpack probably stuffed with too much optimism, enthusiasm and little space to bring back the chocolates for my bad guys back home.

The Un-Godly Hour Flight to Chennai

It all started with a 3:15 AM (cheapest of the day) flight from Mumbai. Yes, you read that right – a time when even the birds are like, “Nah, we’ll sleep in.” Me? I was wide awake, boarding a plane to Chennai that was rescheduled by 30 minutes, fuelled by sheer excitement and probably too much caffeine. Before I left home for the airport, I hit the gym, fully motivated, for I knew I was going to miss it for a week now. I took a cab around the midnight for the airport, I didn’t sleep a wink and one of my friend was on the call with me the whole time and she had absolutely no clue that I was travelling. But I guess that was the idea. Surprise! Surprise! Airport was packed past midnight. Departure concourse and check-in counters were flooded with overseas flyers and domestic flyers. In the 2 hours flight, I took a nap. Landed in Chennai at 5:30 AM, and guess what greeted me? Rain! In a place known for its sunny disposition. Irony at its finest. But, far from dampening spirits, this change in weather set the tone for a trip filled with unexpected joys. Whether it was exploring Chennai in the rain or changing travel plans due to missed connections, each unforeseen event was a lesson in embracing uncertainty with a positive mindset.

Cousin Time and Rainy Chennai

In Chennai, I was joined by my cousin Victor, who, let’s be honest, probably thought he was signing up for sun and not a monsoon. He had taken a night train all the way from Bangalore just to meet me, right on schedule. We stayed at St. Thomas International Centre, where the only international thing was our bewilderment at the weather. We explored Chennai in the rain, which felt a bit like taking a shower with your clothes on. Victor left on the second day’s evening, probably to dry off.

Nagapattinam, Velankanni, and My Inner Compass

Post cousin-departure, I hopped on a night train to Nagapattinam. Reached there when most sensible people were still dreaming about their morning coffee. Then, a train switcheroo to Velankanni with handful of passengers including me, where I was again treated with a very heavy welcome shower for the Sun had refused to show up at all the whole day. I attended an English Mass at 10 AM. I’m not overly religious, but I think the big guy upstairs was impressed with my punctuality.

The Not-So-Great Escape from Velankanni

After a three-hour church complex tour (no divine revelation, just sore feet due to sand bite), I had my lunch (of course a South Indian Fish Curry Thali), I checked out of the hotel (lodge it was) and hopped on a bus back to Nagapattinam. It felt forever to get a bus for everything was written in Tamil. I had to match the characters to get the word right. Again, it felt like an escape, but with less drama for the whole damn bus was empty.

Trichy and the Quest for the Bus to my Next Destination

I was on anti-depressant drug before I boarded the bus to Nagapattinam. I dozed off. Someone woke me up at the destination. When I had stepped outside, it was still drizzling but some poor sod dropped me to the railway station and I couldn’t be more thankful. The last thing I wanted was to get drenched. I took the Ernakulam-bound train and arrived at 8 PM to Trichy. Again, someone woke me up.

Dinner at A2B – a culinary adventure in itself

Then, it was a mad dash to the Central Bus Station for my journey to Ooty. But before that, I had to stuff in myself at the nearest eatery, the Adyar Ananda Bhawan. Believe me folks, if there is one place you want to have food orgasm, visit one of those while you are in the South. If there’s one thing you learn while solo traveling, it’s how to eat fast and run faster.

Ooty: Where Buses Are Comfy and Trains Are Missed

After an overnight bus ride, I had finally reached Ooty at 7 AM. I had contacted the Zostel, Ooty and requested them for an early check-in. Oh! They were so welcoming.  The receptionist, whom I had just shook off his dreams, looked at me with a mighty surprise.  Pleasantly, he let me crash in their common area (bless them). But the problem with them is they serve the breakfast very late. My plan was to visit Coonoor but I missed the toy train because my breakfast decided to show up really late. Ended up on a local bus, which was surprisingly not a bad choice, very cheap (First Class Ticket in Train costs you 20X and Second Class around 10X), punctual and more importantly, took half the time of what my train ride would have been.

Coonoor: Rain and Conversation, Tourist Spots, and the Return of the Toy Train 

Coonoor was all rain, cloud, fog and beauty, a great combination if you’re not made of sugar. Initially, I decided to explore on my own but I gave up the idea of doing so almost immediately. Hired a cab, explored some serious tourist spots which I had absolute no clue of, for I saw nothing.

“Am I supposed to see something?” I asked the guide at one of the destinations.

“Yes, This spot, Sir, has a very good view.” Replied the guide. “Beyond those clouds.” He added with a smile (See the hospitality).

We drove for a while and stopped.

“Am I supposed to see something?” I asked the guide at the other destination.

“Yes. This spot, Sir, is one of the picturesque landscape you’ll ever see.” Replied the guide. 

“I see nothing.” I said anxiously.

“Oh! The fog, Sir. It’s a tricky bit of weather today.” He whispered delightfully.

“Oh! I see.” I said, fully convinced.

We again drove for a while.

“Believe me Sir, you have seen nothing yet.” He said.

“I know.” I replied.

Then he stopped.

“Am I supposed to see something?” I asked him at the third destination.

“No Sir. Just the clouds.” He replied.

Our conversation was so fruitful, that I simply decided to walk through rest of the spots and that included the tea estate and some fabulous botanical garden.

In the evening, I boarded the toy train back to Ooty for the experience. It was so foggy throughout my journey back uphill, it added a nice ‘mystery novel’ vibe to the whole damn experience.

Hostel Life

Hostel life had always been great and it pumps me up to be a part of one. Back in Ooty, the hostel was a melting pot of solo travellers. Travellers from all around the world, sharing some shitty experience you may have never imagined while you are enjoying the camp fire under the clear sky on a chilly night. We exchanged stories that probably made our own folks worry but made for great hostel chat.

Ooty Tour and The Long Road to Bangalore

Next morning, did a whirlwind tour of Ooty but more importantly, I visited a chocolate factory. Then, off to Bangalore by bus, contemplating life, missed trains, and why I pack so much. Slept the whole damn 7 hours in the bus.

Back to Mumbai: The End or Just the Beginning?

Night was tiring, for I wasn’t permitted admission inside the airport before midnight for a 5:25 AM flight from Bangalore to Mumbai. Post midnight, I was permitted in, check-in counters opened after another 45 minutes, went through security gates and finally made myself comfortable at a Lounge where I had my dinner and my breakfast for the menu was changed right after I filled my plate the first time around. As I soared above the clouds, I realised this trip was more than just about seeing places. It was about missed trains, random rain, making connections and more importantly finding myself.

Final Thoughts

Traveling solo through South India was an adventure that went beyond mere sightseeing. It was a journey of self-reliance, cultural immersion, and serendipitous encounters. Each city, with its unique charm and character, contributed to an unforgettable experience. As I share this journey through my blog, I hope to inspire others to embark on their own solo adventures, discovering the joys and challenges that such a journey can bring. Solo travel, as I learned, is not just about the destinations you visit, but also about the personal growth and the unexpected experiences you encounter along the way.

Key Takeaways from My Solo Adventure

1. Embrace the Unexpected: Whether it’s unusual weather or missed transportation, solo travel teaches you to adapt and find joy in the unexpected.

2. Connection and Solitude: While traveling alone, the connections you make, be it with family, fellow travellers, or locals, add depth to your experience, while solitude offers space for reflection and personal growth.

3. Cultural Immersion: Each place I visited offered a unique glimpse into the local culture, from the religious rituals in Velankanni to the culinary delights in Trichy.

4. Self-Reliance and Flexibility: Navigating different modes of transportation and making spontaneous decisions honed my self-reliance and flexibility, essential traits for any solo traveller.

5. The Beauty of Nature: From the rain-soaked streets of Chennai to the misty mountains of Ooty, the natural beauty of South India was a constant companion that added a serene backdrop to my journey.

There you have it, folks! My solo trip in a nutshell – a blend of chaos, serenity, and everything in between. Solo travel isn’t just about the destinations; it’s about the destiny and embracing the unexpected and finding humour in the mishaps. Would I do it again? And would you?