The honeymoon, often romanticized as a picture-perfect escape, can sometimes turn into a real-life adventure, with unexpected twists and turns. While the tradition has evolved from its origins in the 5th century, where it was more about survival than romance, it continues to hold the promise of a special experience for newlyweds. But not every honeymoon is a fairy tale. Vogue India readers share their hilarious and sometimes harrowing honeymoon tales, reminding us that even the most well-planned trip can take unexpected turns.
Suprita Mitter, a writer, recounts a thrilling encounter with a Komodo dragon during her honeymoon in Gili Meno, Indonesia. Seeking a quiet getaway, she and her husband found themselves in a high-speed chase through the village, dodging chickens and bewildered locals. The experience, while terrifying at the time, left them with a story that they will never forget.
Devayani Bapat, a freelance copywriter, had a honeymoon in Scotland that went from romantic to medical drama. She came down with chickenpox, forcing her and her husband to adapt their plans and transform their trip into a stay-cation, with her husband acting as her dedicated nurse.
Divashri Sinha, a writer, experienced a terrifying incident during her honeymoon in the Middle East. Their flight from Mumbai to Riyadh caught fire, forcing an emergency landing in Muscat. The culprit? A seemingly harmless mango, whose ripening chemicals triggered a fire alarm in the cargo hold.
Sausan Bukhari, a homemaker, shares her honeymoon experience in Italy, where she and her husband ended up staying at a mafia hangout. Adding to the drama, they rented a Vespa and had a near-death experience while attempting to climb Mount Etna. Later, she left her purse on a bus, adding another layer of chaos to their already eventful trip.
Alka Thakur, an editor, recounts her honeymoon in Coorg, which was inadvertently turned into a Bollywood blooper reel. Their hotel and most other decent spots were taken over by the crew of the film *Kyun Ho Gaya Na*. They were relocated to a half-built hotel and found themselves surrounded by film folks, turning their honeymoon into a chaotic movie set.
Rachel Pereira Dias, a digital creator, shares a story about a disastrous second honeymoon in Thailand. Their romantic date night on a rooftop in Bangkok turned into a terrifying experience when a sudden downpour and strong winds hit the city, leaving them drenched and clinging to the bar counter for dear life. Later, they found Bangkok flooded, adding to the chaos of their honeymoon.
Dia Sachanandani, a sales director, describes her honeymoon in India, which involved a wild car ride on a narrow road with a sheer drop on one side. Despite her husband’s disregard for their hosts’ warning, they made it to their destination without any major incidents.
Lata Sunadh, an author, recounts a harrowing experience in Istanbul, where they were robbed on their first evening. The police station was closed, and they had to communicate with the Turkish police through gestures. They eventually identified the thief from photos but he was never caught.
Ananya K, an entrepreneur, shares a story about her parents’ arranged marriage and honeymoon in Paris. Her mother’s decision to take a long bath resulted in her passing out in the bathtub, leaving her father struggling to revive her and explain the situation to the police. The story has become a legend in their family.
Ritika, a content writer, shares a story about her parents’ honeymoon in Mussoorie, where they booked a hotel rumored to be haunted. They spent the night hearing ghostly footsteps and whispers, with a faulty heating system adding to the eerie experience.
Ayushi Agarwal, a chef, describes a harrowing experience during her honeymoon in South Africa. They joined a kayaking activity in the freezing South Atlantic Ocean, finding themselves struggling with the icy waters and strong waves. Despite the fear, they managed to reach the shore and end their honeymoon with a beautiful view of the wild sea.
These stories, collected by Vogue India, illustrate that honeymoons, like any journey, can be unpredictable. While they might not always be perfect, they offer opportunities for adventure, laughter, and unforgettable memories, even if they come with a dose of chaos and a touch of horror.
