“India 🇮🇳 ~Houseboating in the Backwaters of Kerala”
I did not expect the open water system of the state of Kerala to be so big.
We cruised along channels that are narrower at times, and we can see rice fields on either side. We go a little further and it is open water again. Then, we come to villages along the banks of the river. It’s nice being on a big boat, that sits tall. We can see everything quite well. AND, there is always something to see out here. This is a popular activity to do, as we see plenty of houseboats, and day boats motoring along, just like us. In the mix, there are also paddle boats and small engine boats cruising along. We are quite comfortable and enjoying this relaxing cruise.
The weather is beautiful, though typically India, very hot during the day. We stay in the shade and appreciate a nice breeze when it happens upon us. We are being fed, and kept hydrated. The houseboat food and water are included in this trip. We bought sparkling water, and fresh limes. If people want to drink alcohol, they can, but must bring their own, on board.
Around 4PM, one of the crew members came upstairs with a pamphlet with information about massages and the prices. If we wanted to get a massage, the captain would park the boat for us, and we could get off. We said yes. We got off the boat and walked about 20 yards is all, to the massage place. By 4:30PM, we were getting a 90 minute, full-body massage. Right after, we got back on board and dinner was served within five minutes.
From 7-8PM, it was dark outside, but we had a light or two. At this point, after dark, and anchored or tied to the bank, we are awaiting the A/C to be turned on in our cabin. I would not want to do this trip any time of the year, without A/C, in at least the sleeping cabin.
For more money, one can rent a boat with A/C, throughout. For us, that was not necessary, but for the summertime of India, I had read in my research, the bugs that go along with that, do not make things comfortable, out on this water; especially at mealtimes. We were bothered only a little bit, but enough that we were more than ready to get into our cabin, with the door closed, and enjoy the comfort of the cool, bug-free zone.
The scenic and serene backwaters of Kerala are comprised of lakes, canals and lagoons; located parallel to the coast of the Arabian Sea. The backwater region runs inland from the coast of Kerala, from Kochi (Cochin) to Kollam (Quilon). The main entry point, situated between Kochi and Kollam, is Alleppey. At the heart of the backwaters is vast Vembanad Lake.
The tranquil backwater cruises are a once in a lifetime experience. Alappuzha, known as the “Venice of the East,” is especially popular for its houseboat cruises, where one can soak in nature, in its finest form, while slowly motoring along the palm-tree lined canals.
We saw a lot of rice harvesting going on, which left dry empty fields, but we did see a couple fields of the lush green that only rice yields as it grows its tender shoots. At one part of the farming area, along the water, they were burning fields, this caused some interesting photos for a bit.
Traditionally, the backwaters are used by locals for transport, fishing, and agriculture. Annual snake boat races, held along the backwaters, also provide a great source of entertainment for the locals and tourists alike.
Most people who visit the Kerala backwaters hire a traditional Kerala-style houseboat (called a kettuvallam). It’s a quintessential Kerala experience and one of the most tranquil and relaxing things you can do in India. Freshly cooked Indian food make the experience even more enjoyable. You can either go on a day trip or stay overnight on the boat.
Today, lunch was served on banana leaves, instead of plates. We so appreciate the nice little touches the crew provided. They also cooked us some very delicious meals, with a lot of care and time, devoted to the task.
The lush green landscape, diverse wildlife, and houses and villages that line the backwaters make a journey along these waterways seem like a journey through another world.
Day two was just as relaxing as day one. I’m not sure what a third day would look like out on these backwaters, but we did not see the same thing twice on day two, that we saw on day one, so I would imagine a third night would be doable, if one has the time. I mean it is a large farming region, but there are plenty of people-watching to be had, as the river villages are busy with harvesting, and animal farming. Daryl even spied a Monkey sitting on the bank of the river. That just delighted me!
When we pulled into the bank of the river this evening, to tie in for the night, to the left of us was a cute little house with a man and his baby, standing in the doorway. I waved to the baby, and he waved back at me. I waved again, and he blew me a kiss; cutest thing ever! It has just started raining, and it’s is wonderful to listen to, as we get ready for bed.
By 7AM on our final morning, we were underway, and by 8:30AM, back in Alleppey; the same place we started from. While the time went quickly, on the way back to the dock, it was really a lovely morning, with great light. We got to enjoy watching the villagers wake up and begin their day; brushing teeth, doing laundry, bathing in the river, or washing dishes.
We had the most fun of times, on this very enjoyable houseboat adventure. Also, given what we had seen out there on the water, we liked our choice of boat set-up. As our host had told us, where we were staying at Alleppey Beach Garden, we would enjoy the privacy of a top level, and we did. We were the only guests onboard, as we rented the entire boat. We only came downstairs to eat.
We have been comfortable and looked after, but allowed our privacy. It has been great, and we are a little sad to go.
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About Us
Hello and Welcome to our Travel Blog Website, We enjoy writing about our experiences and taking photos of our adventuring along the way. Our names are: Daryl and Pen, but Daryl calls me “Bunny.” We met, quite randomly, whilst both… Read More