This November, our team went on an unforgettable annual retreat to the beautiful backwaters of Alleppey. Surrounded by serene houseboats, green landscapes, and a lively team spirit, we created a bunch of wonderful memories. The highlight of our retreat was the final night, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and fun games that celebrated our special bond as colleagues and friends.
As HR, I had the pleasure of organizing the evening, focusing on a couples’ game, especially since some team members had transitioned from singlehood to married life since our last retreat. This year, we also welcomed new faces like Abhigyan, our new project manager, into the fold. The couples were grouped into three delightful categories:
- The Newlyweds: Mahesh & Bhavika, Praveen & Kousika
- Seasoned Partners & Parents: Geetha & Purushothaman, Prithi & Manoj
- The Old and Wise: Unni & Sita
Here’s the video capturing the fun and laughter from our Alleppey retreat, featuring feedback and moments from the couples about the exciting games!
Compatibility Round
This round tested how well each couple knew each other through fun and sometimes tricky questions. The responses were heartwarming and hilarious, offering a glimpse into their lives beyond work.
Old & Wise Couple – Unni & Sita
Older & Wise Couple – Unni & Sita
Unni and Sita stole the show with their incredible sync and heartwarming chemistry, leaving everyone in awe as they aced the Compatibility Round. Here’s a quick recap of their responses that had us all smiling:
- What is the one dish your spouse cooks that you can never get enough of?
Without hesitation, Unni nailed it with Sambar, Sita’s favorite dish to cook for him. - Where did you both go on your first outing after the wedding?
Sita fondly recalled their honeymoon trip to Missouri via Delhi, describing it as a long yet memorable journey. Unni, after a lot of amusing struggling and second-guessing, finally matched her answer, filling the room with laughter. - What is your spouse’s most endearing habit that stayed the same over the years?
Sita’s honest response—Unni’s short temper and tendency to shout—was met with a hilarious confirmation from Unni, who didn’t even flinch while agreeing. - Who is most likely to misplace their glasses or phone?
Sita admitted it was her, and Unni hit the mark again without skipping a beat. - What’s the most memorable trip you’ve taken together?
Both of them agreed their honeymoon trip to Missouri stood out as the most cherished adventure of their years together.
This couple didn’t miss a single beat, earning a perfect score and winning our hearts with their years of love, understanding, and delightful banter.
Seasoned Partners & Parents – Prithi & Manoj
Prithi and Manoj charmed everyone with their sweet and amusing responses during the Compatibility Round. Manoj took the lead in answering, but their playful banter and shared love for their son, Vihaan, truly stole the show. Here’s how their round unfolded:
- Who chose your child’s name and what does it mean?
Manoj confidently answered that he chose the name, which means Sunrise/Sunshine. Prithi seemed a little unsure at first but eventually agreed, confirming it was indeed Manoj. - What is your spouse’s favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Manoj tried his best to cover all bases with multiple answers—chatting, listening to songs, or going for a drive (if possible). Prithi, however, went rogue and gave a completely different response, leaving everyone laughing as she got flustered. - What is one chore your spouse absolutely avoids doing?
Manoj, ever the team player, boldly declared none, but Prithi didn’t let that slide, cheekily admitting there were a couple of chores she’d rather skip. - What’s the funniest thing your child has done that you both laugh about?
Both parents sweetly shared that while there isn’t a specific “funniest” moment, they are constantly proud and delighted by everything Vihaan does. This answer showcased their unconditional love for him. - What’s one item that your spouse never leaves the house without?
Manoj said Prithi wasn’t particularly attached to anything, but Prithi quickly corrected him, revealing her strong attachment to her phone.
With a score of 2 out of 5, this couple may not have topped the scoreboard, but they won everyone over with their humor, deep connection, and Manoj’s unwavering protectiveness toward his family. Their shared pride in Vihaan made the round all the more heartwarming.
Newlyweds – Bhavika & Mahesh
Bhavika and Mahesh, still basking in the glow of newlywed life, brought a mix of sweet moments and humorous surprises to the Compatibility Round. With Bhavika filling out the questionnaire, here’s how their answers played out:
- Who said “I love you” first, and when?
Bhavika confidently shared that she proposed to Mahesh back in 2021. Both got the year right, showcasing their shared memory of that milestone moment. - What’s the first meal your spouse cooked for you after marriage?
Bhavika fondly recalled Mahesh stepping up to cook rotis for her when she hurt her fingers. Though initially caught off guard, Mahesh eventually guessed correctly, adding to the warm memory. - What’s the one habit of your spouse that you’ve grown to love since marriage?
Bhavika highlighted Mahesh’s care and support as the most endearing part of their relationship, but Mahesh playfully dodged the question, saying there wasn’t anything specific. - What’s your spouse’s favorite way to relax after a long day?
While Mahesh thought Bhavika would say going out, she revealed that he would prefer to snuggle up in a cozy blanket and sleep. - What’s one thing you argued about while planning the wedding?
Bhavika mentioned there were no disagreements, but Mahesh offered a differing perspective, leading to a humorous mismatch.
With a score of 2 out of 5, Bhavika and Mahesh may still be learning about each other, but their love and care were evident, leaving everyone smiling at their journey ahead.
Newlyweds – Praveen & Kousika
Praveen and Kousika, fresh from their September wedding, were an absolute delight in the Compatibility Round. With Praveen filling out the answers and Kousika making her guesses, their round was full of laughter and affection:
- Who said “I love you” first, and when?
Both perfectly recalled the date and year, proving their shared love story is as vivid as ever. - What’s the first meal your spouse cooked for you after marriage?
Praveen detailed an elaborate meal of Tandoori, Gulab Jamoon, and Dosa. While Kousika got the Dosa right, she added a hilarious story about a coffee mishap, where Praveen poured the coffee into the sink to prevent her from serving it to his father. The room erupted in laughter as Kousika turned pink with embarrassment. - What’s the one habit of your spouse that you’ve grown to love since marriage?
Kousika believed Praveen would say she’s become more responsible, but Praveen, in his loving way, insisted she’s always been responsible, leaving the room in awe of their mutual admiration. - What’s your spouse’s favorite way to relax after a long day?
Praveen thought their shared routine of discussing the day’s events before bed would be her answer, but Kousika humorously admitted to scrolling through social media feeds instead. - What’s one thing you argued about while planning the wedding?
Both mentioned some confusion about their wedding photographer, but they were quick to clarify that it didn’t lead to any real arguments.
With a score of 3 out of 5, Praveen and Kousika proved they are a fun-loving and deeply connected couple. Their responses, full of love and humor, showed the joy of being newly married and navigating life together.
Who Does What? – Geetha & Purushothaman
When Geetha and Purushothaman joined the party, their undeniable chemistry took center stage in the fun-filled compatibility game, “Who Does What?” With their backs turned to each other, the couple answered a flurry of lighthearted questions by raising their hands to indicate who does what in their relationship. Their ability to nail 70–80% of the answers perfectly highlighted the deep understanding and mutual respect they share.
Geetha’s sharp wit and quick reactions were perfectly complemented by Purushothaman’s calm and steady demeanor. From playful banter to heartfelt answers, the duo left no doubt about the strength of their bond.
With synchronized answers that kept the room roaring with delight, Geetha and Purushothaman proved themselves to be an unbeatable team, showcasing their love and teamwork in the most entertaining way possible.
From Couples to Team Spirit
The couples’ games were a delightful way to learn more about each other, sparking moments of laughter, love, and camaraderie. Beyond just fun, these games offered everyone a glimpse into each couple’s dynamics—be it as partners, colleagues, or friends. It was an opportunity to share, grow, and even pick up a few lessons from each other.
When the couples wrapped up their rounds, the rest of the team jokingly asked if there was nothing planned for them. Of course, I wasn’t about to disappoint! With a smile, I introduced the next activity: Password—a team-based word-guessing game that promised creativity, quick thinking, and lots of laughter.
Team Game: Password
The rules were simple: each participant picked a word from a box and gave a one-word clue to help their teammates guess it. The team had three chances to figure out the correct word.
I would like to share some memorable moments from the Password game, which were absolutely unforgettable.
First up was the word ‘Sunshine’, which proved to be a tricky one for the team to guess. I mentioned to everyone that if Manoj or Prithi were given the word, they would have nailed it instantly. The reason being that their son’s name is Vihaan, which actually means Sunshine—a fact they revealed during their couple’s game. It was a sweet connection that added a personal touch to the game, but the team still struggled to guess the word at first.
Next, we had the word ‘Coconut’, picked by Sainath. As soon as he got the word, he was super excited to give the clue, and when he said, ‘Tinder’, the whole room froze. Everyone, including me, was completely confused. I started wondering if I had written something else in the box and misread it, but no, Sainath was indeed saying “Tinder.” Everyone tried to figure out how “Tinder” related to “Coconut,” and we were all getting puzzled. I then decided to check with Sainath about why he picked that word, and he explained that he was thinking about drinking coconut water. That’s when it hit me—he had meant to say ‘Tender’ (as in tender coconut), but instead said ‘Tinder’—the dating app! As soon as I clarified this, everyone burst out laughing, realizing the mix-up. Sainath quickly corrected himself and gave the right clue, ‘Tender’, and their team immediately guessed ‘Coconut’. It was a hilarious moment that had everyone laughing so hard we all had tummy aches. It’s safe to say that Tinder became the funniest clue of the evening!
The next hilarious moment was thanks to Unni, who got the word ‘Vacation’. He was absolutely confident and eager to share his clue. With great enthusiasm, he said, ‘Vacation’. The entire room went silent, thinking, “Wait, that’s the word!” I immediately pointed out to him, “Buddy, you just gave away the password!” And before he could even realize it, everyone burst into laughter. His overly confident clue ended up being the giveaway, and we all shared a hearty laugh at his mistake. It was a classic moment of comedic timing that added so much fun to the game.
A Night to Remember
The games weren’t just about fun—they helped us learn more about each other, fostering deeper bonds. Couples shared their quirks, memories, and habits, while the team celebrated their relationships and individuality. As the night ended, we felt a renewed sense of connection. This retreat reminded us that beyond deadlines and deliverables, we’re a family that laughs, learns, and grows together.
From the compatibility games to the hilarious Password moments, our last night at Alleppey was nothing short of magical. It was a beautiful reminder that work is more meaningful when shared with people who care about each other. The memories we created will undoubtedly fuel our team spirit for years to come.