Every year, the yCrash team comes together at a unique destination to bond, relax, and celebrate our successes. From the royal beauty of Udaipur to the misty hills of Yercaud and the coastal charm of MGM Chennai, each retreat has left us with unforgettable memories. This year, we set our sights on the serene backwaters of Alleppey. We meticulously planned and executed this year’s retreat and we are going to take you behind the scenes of an event filled with camaraderie, relaxation, and countless moments of joy.
The Decision
There was some strong competition when it came to choosing this year’s retreat destination. As always, we sought input from everyone on the team to finalize the location. We had a list of contenders: Darjeeling, Tadoba Tiger Reserve, the Lakshadweep Islands, and Alleppey, Kerala. As most of you might have guessed, Darjeeling received the most votes. However, we agreed that it would be our destination if we reached certain team milestones this year. Since we didn’t quite hit those numbers, we opted for the next best choice—Alleppey.
The Planning
Once the place was finalized, we decided that we should start from taking the headcount to the retreat. As you all remember, there have been some additions to the team’s families. 😉 We also needed to figure out everyone’s mode of transportation, as that would help us plan better. Initially, there were 26 members who were going to make it to the retreat and most of them were traveling in flight and a handful only were traveling using other means. So, we divided them into three groups: one team flying from Chennai Airport, another from Bangalore Airport to Kochi and then on to Alleppey, and the third group traveling directly to Alleppey from their hometowns.
Finding The Place
Next, we needed to find a place that could accommodate everyone along with their families. After careful consideration, we handpicked a few properties: Cyrus Resorts, Palm Grove Lake Resort, Lake Canopy Resort, and Punnamada Resort (Lake View Villa). After much deliberation, we finalized Punnamada Resorts. I’d like to make a special mention of Anu Mariam, who was instrumental in making this happen. Planning this trip was no easy task, but she made it feel so much more manageable. She truly nailed it, helping us not just plan, but also execute the event successfully—from stay to food, to houseboat reservations. Thank you, Anu Mariam, from the bottom of our hearts.
The resort offered some exquisite views, and the rooms were incredibly comfy. The food was delicious, and there were plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, including indoor games, water sports, and outdoor game activities. Another significance of the resort is that it is on the Punnamada Lake itself, which is the largest and longest lake in Asia.
The Houseboat
As mentioned earlier, Anu connected me with her contacts for the houseboat. They played a significant role in making the event a success, as we had planned a couple of entertainment and celebration events to take place on the boat. I’ll share more details in the upcoming sections, but for now, let me walk you through our experience on the boat. It was a luxurious vessel with 14 rooms, and a spacious dining hall on the top deck. We had requested the boat team to reach the port by 12 PM with our banner on it. While they may have been a little late, they arrived with a fresh look, proudly displaying the yCrash logo, and it looked absolutely magnificent.
The highlight of the boat ride was the speedboat trip our team ventured on. It was an absolutely thrilling experience! The splash of the lake water on that rainy day—wow, it was truly unforgettable.
The Date & Ticket Confirmation
The where and how has been finalized and now it is time to finalize the when. There were several factors involved finalizing the date, and the crucial one being the availability of everyone. After careful consideration, we decided that Nov 29 to Dec 2 would be our retreat dates. We aimed for a weekend so it would be convenient, while also ensuring everyone had enough time to make appropriate travel arrangements. After all, Alleppey is a beautiful place that absolutely deserves to be enjoyed and explored.
Since out of the 26 members, 20 were flying to Alleppey, we decided that we should plan ahead in booking the flight tickets. The HR team gathered all the necessary details, coordinated everything, and booked tickets for everyone. With Anu’s help from Punnamada Resorts, we also allocated rooms in advance. We even made a list of vegetarians and non-vegetarians for the meal arrangements to ensure a seamless experience.
The Final Countdown
Now that everything was finalized, everyone started prepping themselves for the retreat. A few department heads had presentations to prepare for the event, and while they focused on gathering their data, the HR team worked on issuing ID cards to be handed out during the retreat. At the same time, we had to draft the agenda for the retreat days.
We also wanted to ensure it wasn’t all just business discussions—entertainment was just as important! So, I personally started planning games for the team, with a special focus on activities for the married couples. Unlike previous retreats, this year saw a higher number of attendees coming with their families, especially couples. With that in mind, I prepared some fun couple’s games as well as group games that everyone on the team could enjoy.
The Big Day
It’s hard to believe how quickly the days flew by, but the big day was finally here. Everyone set off from their hometowns and assembled at either Bangalore or Chennai airports to catch flights to Kochi. From Kochi, they continued their journey to Alleppey by cab. Unfortunately, Ankita and Harkiran couldn’t join us due to unavoidable circumstances.
I, along with Alagappan, Umayal, and my daughter, were among the first to arrive at Punnamada Resort. The rest of the team was still on their way, flying into Kochi as we settled in. While waiting for everyone to arrive, the four of us began exploring the resort—and what a view it was! The place was breathtaking, far exceeding our expectations.
Once we got our room keys, curiosity took over, and we couldn’t resist checking out each other’s rooms. The rooms were a delightful surprise. From the beautifully crafted door frames to the intricate locking mechanisms and the traditional-style bathrooms, every detail exuded charm and authenticity. The space perfectly captured the cultural essence we were hoping for, making us fall in love with it instantly.
Day 1 – The Gang’s Here
By around 3 PM, the whole gang had arrived at the resort. Everyone quickly settled into their rooms and gathered near the restaurant for the evening tea. On Day 1, we were served tea along with Pazham Pori, a classic evening snack made from ripe bananas—one of Kerala’s special delicacies.
After tea, the entire team gathered in the conference hall, while the family members opted to unwind in their rooms or soak in the serene beauty of the resort. During the meeting, we reflected on our achievements over the past year and openly discussed the challenges we had faced along the way. This was also the moment when we distributed ID cards and T-shirts to the team—a gesture that added a sense of team spirit and belonging. It was an incredible feeling to have everyone together in one room, collaborating and sharing ideas.
After dinner, we all retired for the night—or at least some of us did. Most of the team, however, gathered in our room to play cards, keeping the beloved yCrash retreat tradition alive.
Here is the trip Highlights in the form of a short video:
Day 2 – Insights, Goals, and Surprises
The next morning, we all gathered at the restaurant for breakfast. After savoring the delicious food, we took some pictures, soaked in the serene morning scenery, and admired the breathtaking lake view. Once refreshed, we headed to the Ram’s room where we discussed our plans for 2025.
This session brought some unexpected revelations, particularly from Sainath, who amazed us by sharing his fitness secrets and even demonstrating his mountain-climbing routine. We were all thoroughly impressed! Ram then captivated us with a thought-provoking speech on the “4F’s”—Fitness, Family, Friends, and Finance—emphasizing how they are interwoven and essential to leading a balanced life. The discussion naturally transitioned into strategizing our goals for 2025.
The meeting was not just about goals; it was also an opportunity to learn more about each other and exchange ideas to enhance our products. It turned out to be a productive and inspiring session.
As a delightful surprise, Prithi and Kousika organized a team video shoot. The video captured our individual introductions, each with a unique twist. The highlight was undoubtedly Sainath, our fitness guru, diving into the swimming pool for his segment. The entire activity was refreshing, hilarious, and truly unforgettable.
Then, we all had lunch at the restaurant. Afterward, the parents with kids headed back to their rooms for some downtime, while the rest of the team took to the field for a game of cricket. Some also indulged in the indoor games available at the property.
Later in the evening, we gathered again for tea and enjoyed some delightful conversations with our colleagues. It was a wonderful opportunity to bond and spend quality time together. Most of our chatter revolved around the excitement for the next day—we couldn’t wait to get on that boat and experience what was planned!
Day 3 – ‘All-Hands’ on Deck! 😉
The next day brought even more excitement and anticipation. From day 1, we’ve been waiting for this. Apart from Alleppey being the beautiful and heavenly spot, everyone was really excited about boarding that house boat. We were informed that checkout was scheduled for 11 AM, and we’d board the boat at 12 PM. You wouldn’t believe it, but even the kids—who were usually reluctant to get out of bed—woke up early to make sure they didn’t miss the boat! The whole day was filled with excitement. As we checked out and awaited the boat, we decided to take some group pictures to capture the memories of the retreat.
Every minute felt like an hour, as everyone eagerly awaited the boat ride. To our dismay, the boat was delayed by 40 minutes. While some of us grew restless, the excitement soared again when we saw a huge boat arrive at the boarding point, proudly displaying the majestic yCrash banner.
Team yCrash Onboard
The excitement was palpable as we prepared to board the boat. When it docked at the bay, everyone lit up with joy, much like kids unwrapping a new toy. Rejoice and anticipation filled the air. Stepping onto the boat felt surreal for all of us—it was a moment we’d been eagerly awaiting.
Once onboard, each family was assigned a room. The boat was stunning, both inside and out, and the rooms were immaculate, adding to our excitement. The friendly staff welcomed us warmly and helped us settle in seamlessly. The boat featured two decks—the top deck had only four rooms and a spacious dining area, while the bottom deck housed eleven rooms.
After settling in, our adventure began with an exhilarating speedboat ride across the lake. Almost everyone gave it a try, and speaking from experience, it was absolutely thrilling. If you ever visit Alleppey, a speedboat ride is a must! The wind brushing against your face, the water splashing all around, and the sharp twists and turns of the boat—it was a moment of pure adrenaline and joy.
The Afternoon
After the speedboat ride, everyone went back to their rooms to freshen up. The excitement had worked up quite an appetite, and we were all starving. Soon, we headed upstairs for lunch. We were treated to a traditional Kerala meal, and it was absolutely delicious. From the kids to the elders, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the food.
Once lunch was over, most of us stayed back in the dining area to relax and play some card games. Yes, I know—we play a lot of cards! 😅 But can you blame us? We only get to meet face-to-face once a year, and this is our chance to create memories that will last until the next time we’re all together.
After that, we had an official group discussion about our plans for 2025. Everyone pitched in with their ideas, and it turned into a productive brainstorming session. Around 5 PM, the boat docked at a spot in Alleppey, and most of us headed to the local market for some shopping.
While the others were busy exploring the market, I took a moment to check in with the kitchen staff to confirm that the surprise was ready. Yes, we had celebrations planned—two, in fact! The first was for our Chief Architect’s birthday. Even though his birthday is in March, we thought it would be special to celebrate it now while the entire team was together. The second cake was for the whole team—a little treat to celebrate all of us.
The cakes were ready, and I had let everyone know that we’d be cutting them after dinner. Once I gave the signal, the cakes would be brought to the dining area, and we’d celebrate together. That was the plan!
The Night
By 8 PM, everyone was back on the boat and getting ready for dinner. Since this was our last night together, there was a buzz of excitement about what was cooking. We all gathered in the dining room to enjoy the meal together, savoring the delicious spread and the company of each other.
After dinner, it was time for the big moment. We sent the much-anticipated ‘Cake Signal’ to the kitchen staff, and they brought out the first cake. While the original plan was to cut them as birthday cakes, we decided to switch things up. The little ones—Erin, Kanishka, and Vihaan—had the honor of cutting the ½ kg black forest cake. The second cake arrived 10 minutes later as per the standing instructions, and the newly married couples, Kousika & Praveen and Mahesh & Bhavika, cut the 2 kg cake. It was a sweet and joyous moment that everyone cherished.
Once the cake cutting wrapped up, a few family members called it a night, but the evening was far from over. We kicked off the couple’s games and puzzles, which turned out to be a highlight of the night. From hilarious moments to fierce yet friendly competition, the activities brought out the best in everyone. There’s so much to share about the games and how they unfolded that they deserve a blog of their own. Look here for all the fun details and stories from that memorable evening!
The Next (Last) Morning
After the games, everyone retired for the night, exhausted from all the fun and laughter, yet heavy-hearted knowing our time together was coming to an end. The next morning would mark not just the end of our houseboat journey but also the start of our goodbyes—for another year.
The night felt unusually long, as if the comfy beds couldn’t quite lull us into peace. Morning came, and everyone began getting ready, packing bags before breakfast to savor every last moment together. Over a shared meal, we laughed, reminisced, and soaked in the memories of the past three days. As the clock ticked closer to departure, heartfelt goodbyes filled the air. Even now, as I write this, I can’t help but wish that time had paused, letting us hold onto those moments just a little longer.
Sayonara Alleppey
The boat finally docked at the pier around 9 AM, and we all gathered on the deck for some final group pictures. It was a bittersweet moment as we clicked photos, capturing the essence of the unforgettable time we had spent together. One by one, everyone disembarked, and the teams made their way to airports and train stations to head back home. Though we were parting ways, our hearts were full of love and beautiful memories that would stay with us for the year ahead.
As we boarded our respective journeys back, there was a sense of gratitude in the air for all the moments shared—the laughter, the games, and the friendships strengthened. It was more than just a retreat; it was a reminder of how special our team truly is.
While next year’s retreat may take us to a new location, we’ll carry these precious memories with us and look forward to creating even more unforgettable moments together. Until then, see you next year with more happy memories from our retreat—no matter where we are!