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Hello everyone! Today, I’m excited to share our recent trip to Raleigh, North Carolina. Our reason for visiting Raleigh was my dad’s speaking engagement at the local university, which happens to be the University of North Carolina. Coincidentally, his brother, sister-in-law, and nephew all reside there in Raleigh, not Durham or any other city in the Triangle area. By the way, when I mention the Triangle, I’m referring to the trio of cities comprising Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. This is important because our flight landed at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, strategically located between these three cities.

Raleigh, often dubbed the “City of Oaks,” is characterized by its abundance of trees. The city has a big furniture industry. The weather here is quite pleasant, having spring-like conditions throughout the year, with occasional snowfall during the winter, though it rarely accumulates significantly.

Our trip lasted for four days, and we departed on the fourth day. Initially, we contemplated driving all the way from Toronto, but opted for a flight instead. In hindsight, considering the proximity of the Smoky Mountains to the Triangle cities, we realized that driving might have been a more cost-effective choice.

We stayed at my dad’s brother’s house in Raleigh. They used to reside in Ohio but had relocated to North Carolina. Their home was a beautiful, spacious, functional and well-equipped abode, featuring amenities such as rowing machine for exercise enthusiasts, a home theatre and a playroom stocked with Legos, among other toys.

My cousin, who is quite the Lego enthusiast, contributed to the impressive Lego collection. He also had various other playthings, such as Nerf guns, swords, a baseball bat, and baseball equipment.

Additionally, they had some intriguing indoor plants, including a jackfruit tree, which they managed to grow from a seed. While jackfruit trees aren’t common in the Americas, this one defied the odds. There was also a curry leaf tree that was flourishing. Encountering a jackfruit tree in an indoor planter was a unique experience for all of us. In case you’re unfamiliar, jackfruit is akin to durian but less pungent and quite delicious.

During our stay, we primarily dined on home cooked food . However, we ventured out to various restaurants and explored different cuisines. My uncle prepared a Kerala-style beef dish in the Instant Pot. My mom prepared mixed fried rice.

Now, let’s delve into our dining experiences outside the house. On our second day, we visited an “escape room”, which I’ll detail later. For dinner, we opted for an Italian and seafood restaurant called “Cape Fear Seafood Co.” (don’t ask me about the name). I savored fish and chips with coleslaw, while others enjoyed various pasta dishes and catch of the day.

The restaurant had chandeliers made of seashells, adding a touch of coastal charm. It was primarily indoor seating but also had an outdoor patio where patrons could dine al fresco.

Afterward, we treated ourselves to the best ice cream in Raleigh at a gelato place. Our choices included mango, chocolate, and coffee gelato, and each scoop was a heavenly delight. The shop’s name is Amorino.

One evening, we ventured to a desi restaurant Kababish Cafe, where I savored a lollipop and various chicken dishes, including Chicken 65 and kebabs. It was a flavorful experience. My mom tried a ladies finger dish prepared in tandoori flavour!

On our last day, we visited the North Carolina Museum of Art, which featured an outdoor exhibition with numerous art installations scattered throughout a vast park.

Following that, we indulged in a brunch at a place called “First Watch”.

I ordered the Cajun chicken tacos, which were absolutely delicious.

That’s a wrap on our Raleigh adventure! It was a memorable trip filled with great food, family time, and exploration. Until next time!