Cruising in the backwaters of Alleppey in the lap of God’s Own Country
One of the best vacations I had so far was in The God’s Own Country, Kerala in 2008. I was spellbound to see the beauty and diversity of the entire state. It was an 8-day trip and we covered Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Kovalam, and Kanyakumari. Each of these places has its own charm. I was blown away by the lush green tea plantations and hills of Munnar, the rich wildlife and cultural heritage of Thekkady. The windswept, stunning blue beach of Kovalam was amazing and the villages and backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom were mesmerizing too.
One thing that I was really looking forward was experiencing the azure blue backwaters cruising in a charming houseboat. Known as the Venice of India, Alleppey is said to be the most popular destination for backwaters in Kerala. It is the hub of backwaters and home to around 1000+ houseboats. In ancient times, houseboats were the major center of trade of rice and spices.
On the cruise!
After exploring Munnar and Thekkady, we reached Allepey on the 5th day of our travel. It was a 4 hours drive from Thekkady. We boarded the houseboat at 12 Noon from the boat jetty to Kumarakom. The staff greeted us warmly, offered coconut water as a welcome drink and informed about the entire trip. The room was well furnished with all the required amenities and comfort. There was a TV and comfortable seating arrangement in the lobby with an unrestricted view of the lush natural beauty and calm waters.
There was a kitchen in the houseboat where fresh meals were cooked with gusto. Fruits, snacks, and beverages were at our disposal. The vegetarian lunch and dinner thali included rice, authentic Kerala curry, papad, sambhar, salad, and many other traditional delicacies.
The scenic beauty!
As the boat speeds up, the strong breeze gushed in. We were isolated completely from the world as there was no network connection in our phones and no internet. Both of us could not keep our eyes off the stunning panoramic views.
We passed through a few villages, lagoons, lakes, paddy fields, fishermen and leisurely enjoyed the scenic beauty around us. The serene ambiance of the houseboat and drizzling added more to the fun.
In the dusk, the boat made its way to a quiet place to be tethered as per the Government rule till the next morning. Once the boat halted, we stepped out and walked through the villages in the cool air. It was quite dark and muddy so we decided to go back to the houseboat. Then the lavish spread was served and we enjoyed the local delicacies in a candlelight dinner. Everything around was so serene, pure and beautiful.
The next morning after relishing the breakfast, we ended the journey at Noon collecting enduring memories. The peacefulness, hospitality and enchanting beauty of the place were wonderful. I recommend everyone should experience this once in a lifetime.
Points to note:
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It is advisable to book KTDC houseboats as they are absolutely safe and trustworthy. As you would be aloof from the world, safety can’t be compromised.
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There is a facility of special arrangements like candlelight dinner, decoration, etc. for the honeymooners if informed prior to boarding, preferably at the time of booking the boat.
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Mosquito repellent is a must have as you would meet many interesting creatures all the way.
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Carry the first aid and medicine kit also.
Read my last post in the series Beach, Rain, Breeze, and Romance at The Benaulim Beach, Goa – An evening to cherish
Keep watching this space as tomorrow, I would be sharing my Divine Experience with HIM at The Golden Temple.
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