A Little Reunion
Back in the early 1990s, a group of friends studied together, sharing dreams and laughter. As the years passed, they parted ways, but many found themselves drawn to the dream city of Malayalees — Bangalore.
Some moved there for further studies, while others visited frequently. Some built their careers in the city, while a few even found their life partners there. Bangalore became an integral part of their lives.
Little did they know that decades later, they would return to the same old city — to relive their Bangalore days.
The college stood atop a small hill, with its main building facing an open ground, surrounded by gulmohar and cypress trees. Students from nearby towns and villages arrived there, stepping into a new phase of life, breathing in the fresh air of freedom.
New friendships blossomed as different groups interacted, forming close circles. Among them, a special bond took shape — a group that would later turn into a a small group called “Friends Forever.”
1991–1993 — the golden era. This was when we met many of our lifelong friends. It was a time of first experiences — our first political affiliation, ideological clashes, fierce arguments, love at first sight, and even some love stories that turned into happily-ever-afters.
I don’t remember exactly how our close-knit gang came together — Aji, Reby, Priyarenj, Manoj, Sunil, and Prince — but we did. We shared everything, from little stories to packed lunches. We had our hideouts within the college vicinity, played cricket, and cards, bunked classes to watch movies, and enjoyed every thrill that student life had to offer.
Even as we moved to different places, we never let go of our bond. Before COVID, we had small reunions and even went on our first interstate trip to Goa. After the pandemic, it was Thekkady, and this year, we chose Bangalore — our dream city.
The Road Trip Begins
We decided on a road trip, driving from Ernakulam to Coimbatore and then heading to Bangalore. Aji and Sunil, who had flown in from Saudi Arabia and the UK, joined me in Ernakulam, and we started our journey on January 26th. Though Reby couldn’t join us due to work commitments, he came to see us off. As for Prince and Manoj, it wasn’t their usual vacation time, so they couldn’t join us. Needless to say, we missed them terribly throughout the journey.
The trip kicked off with old stories and adventures, making the miles fly by. As we reached Coimbatore, we took a halt — after all, the “youngsters” were now hitting their 50s and needed rest!
Early the next morning, we resumed our drive to Bangalore, enjoying the refreshing roads and an 90s music playlist that set the perfect vibe.
On the way, Aji wanted to visit his alma mater in Hosur. Once an industrial town with a thin population, Hosur had now become an extension of Bangalore’s hustle and bustle. He stepped into his college, met some teachers, and reconnected with his past before rejoining us.
After two years apart, we had a lot to discuss on — friends, batchmates, seniors, and teachers. We even recalled forgotten memories. The road trip itself was an adventure, but finally, we reached Bangalore, where we met Priyarenj.
He had planned our food explorations in true Bangalorean style, kicking off with a classic Andhra meal. Afterward, we headed to Nandi Hills, where we had booked our stay. The two-and-a-half-hour drive took us to the Nandi vantage point, overlooking the city beneath.
That night, we had a light dinner and eagerly awaited the sunrise. Except for Priyarenj, who had visited Nandi Hills before, this was a first-time experience for the rest of us.
Waking up at 5:45 AM, we got ready for “the moment.” The chatter of people blended with the chirping of birds as we stood there, witnessing the horizon slowly painting itself with hues of red. Then, the grand arrival of the sun!
We captured hundreds of photos, creating priceless memories after sometime.
After leaving Nandi Hills, we visited the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, which is over 1,000 years old and located near the foothills of Nandi Hills.
from there we drove back to the city and made a stop at the legendary Shivaji Nagar Military Hotel — a paradise for non-vegetarians. While my friends indulged in mutton biryani and mutton chops, I settled for a simple rice and rasam.
Next, we roamed around Indira Nagar, once a posh residential area but now transformed into a bustling commercial hub filled with restaurants, coffee shops, and high-end showrooms. Over coffee at Chai Days, we shared more stories and laughed about old times.
No trip to Bangalore is complete without a visit to MG Road and Brigade Road — the heart of the city’s nightlife back in the day. Walking through those familiar streets, we were surprised to find some old shops still standing strong after two decades. However, many of the iconic pubs had vanished, replaced by modern joints.
That night, though exhausted from all the walking, we couldn’t stop talking. We ended up at Café Coffee Day, Bangalore’s very own coffee chain, and spent hours reminiscing.
Before leaving, I had planned to visit Rameshwaram Café, known for its incredible South Indian breakfast. The experience was nothing short of delightful — a perfect way to wrap up our Bangalore trip.
From there, we drove back dropping off Priyarenj. Then, we continued towards Mysore, Wayanad, and finally Calicut, before heading home to Ernakulam.
It took us 16 hours to complete the return journey, but it was worth every minute — non-stop stories, an amazing playlist, and enough coffee and meal breaks to keep us going.
Our companion for almost 1600Kms
We reached Ernakulam by 3 AM, and it was time to say goodbye. Sunil and Aji left for their respective homes, while I drifted into sleep — filled with memories that will last a lifetime.
Four unforgettable days. A road trip to remember. And Bangalore? Still as beautiful as ever.