Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The House Boat experience

A few snaps and a little description about a part of the stay we had in Kerala.
This time it was at Kumarakoum, the place is close to Alleppey (Alepuzha) and is surrounded by the Vembanad Kayal (river) The overnight stay was a welcome change when compared to the earlier stay at Thekaddy and many of us were of the opinion “lets stay here only and not move from here” May be they were taken in by the view of the lake right from their door way and it was peaceful and calm.



As soon as we landed there in the morning, the pre arranged house boat picked us up for our day trip.

The house boat is a thriving business now in the Alleppey backwaters and you will come across many in the lake. A four to six hour ride (with lunch in the boat) is what I would recommend.

The crew were friendly and they laid out some good dishes for our lunch. As you can see there was Fish fry, Sambhar, Sear Fish Curry, Cabbage Thoran, Brown rice, More Curry (made out of curd)  papaddam and Salad.  Of course if you are a group of pure vegetarians then they will take special care that only vegetarian food is cooked and served in the boat.
As if this was not enough, later they were good enough to anchor at a nearby local eating joint along the coast where we could get some Kappa (Tapioca) with mussels  


Cruising down we did see some local life and their daily routine, Their movements depended on these small boats.
After lunch practically all dozed off and were woken up by some nice hot tea/coffee with something to munch. There was self-entertainment too and all took turns entertaining others.

We made a U turn at the finish point of the Nehru boat race which takes place every year on the second Saturday of August. Saw one of those boats there, but that was not one of those which were traditionally made.
They say that the traditional boats that are used in the race are hand made, by tying planks together by rope. No nails or rivets are used. They are seasoned using natural products. There are no drawings of the design of these boats, but the design is handed down verbally through generations. No grease is used but the white of the egg is smeared at the bottom so that it skids on the water during the race. Many years ago (I think it was in 1968) I had the opportunity to actually see a race live and it is a real experience. As for these houseboats, long back these same boats (known as kettuvallams) were used to ferry grain from the fields to the mills and market. Waterways was the major mode of the transport in those days.
As more and more roads started coming up, and the cultivation of rice dwindled, these boats were lying idle and the tourist industry found it lucrative to convert them into house boats.

We were back at our cottage before sunset and lolling out in the hammock was something all preferred.


The next day we checked out at 10 am and proceeded to Philipkutty’s Farm

The complete arrangement of our stay at different locations in Kerala was made by Mr John.
One can contact him at his site  http://www.tikholidays.com/  or just dial  +919387827235

To see more pictures of the stay at Kumarakom and the house boat, I have made a video of the same which is below. I have used about 100+ pictures to make this video.
To enjoy it, allow it to buffer completely first and then replay it (with the volume turned slightly high)





38 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Love the pictures, really great to see another part of the world.

Thanks for the visit by the way that Magpie is a Robin.
Yvonne.

Lorena G. Sims said...

Sounds like you guys had a blast. I love the pictures and I agree with Yvonne, it is nice to see another part of the world. Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm interested to see more of your travels so I'm going to follow you here.

Tomz said...

Wow..it was the same journey which I had on 11th July 2010..I have detailed the journey and posted a few pictures of it in this post..

http://myvanitymoments.blogspot.com/2010/07/third-bday-and-beautiful-gift.html

Anjuli said...

What a wonderful write up!!! I know I enjoyed my stay in Kerala- and I was not there in so much of a touristy mode, now I wish I had been!! I want to go back and enjoy this leisurely time you have pictured for me. Great pics- and super video!!

Thanks for taking the time to inform us of this wonderful place!

Connie said...

Great pictures, Joe! I really enjoyed this post. I liked your video and the music that went with it too.

Smita said...

Loved the pictures!! Last year my parents had gone to Kerela & stayed in the house boats!!! They too had a fun time :)

Cezar and Léia said...

I'm really impressed, looks fantastic!
Léia

Neena Sharma said...

What pictures and how scenic is the whole place! Good that you enjoyed.

Neha said...

Looks like a paradise. The pictures prove it was a great trip!

Unknown said...

Kerala has so much to offer - amazing, unforgettable experiences. Lovely pics.

Ibifiri Kamson said...

lovely pix..looks like you guys had fun.. it sure looks like paradise.
www.secretlilies.blogspot.com

Lyn said...

How fascinating ... you just gave me a little glimpse of an exotic holiday, a world away, while I sat at my desk looking out onto snowy, rainy alley ways. I could smell that delicious looking feast ... mmmm

Brian Miller said...

nice. this sounds like a fabulous trip...the food looks great and sounds like a lot of fun...

Swapna John said...

Lovely pics. Food is mouth watering... from your description

Madhu said...

There was only once I have been in backwaters but enjoyed it immensely. It was in Kovalam...you reminded of of a great time I had in the past.

hamaarethoughts.com said...

Nice..seems like you guys had fun!
nice pictures and lovely pichas of food!

Unknown said...

This looks and sounds like such fun!! Thanks for commenting on my blog :D

Adiya

Anonymous said...

Hi

nice post with photos

good write up

thanks for sharing

Renu said...

very very beautiful pictures..would love to have a trip like this..may be some time.if god willing..your posts are evry enjoyable.

Linhy said...

looks exciting!!!

Amrit said...

Awesome pictures.

walk2write said...

I love all of your posts, but your travelogues are some of the best. You have such a knack for capturing the travelers' mood and keeping the reader wishing for more of the experience. If you're not working as a travel writer/promoter, you should be.

I'm going to be featuring my Indian blogging friends in a post this coming Monday. You're one of them. Thanks for stopping by to say hi.

Bikram said...

Wowo the pictures look so beautiful what a place and I am sure you had tons of fun :)

excellent

Bikram's

By the Bluegrass said...

Oh, wow! These pictures are great! It looks wonderful there. I want to go there someday! It's so different from my little neck in the woods, here in Kentucky. I am so glad you found my blog. I am going to become a follower, so I can keep up with you.
xo,
Sena
p.s. the pants are so tiny that they easily stand up on their own. They are only a few inches tall. :)

dr.antony said...

Hi,
You just passed through my hometown! One never realizes the beauty of things till someone opens your eyes!

Draffin Bears said...

It was good to discover your blog and you live in a great place.
Always wonderful to see what life is like in the other side of the world.

Happy weekend
Carolyn

Indrani said...

Lovely pics, makes me dream of visiting this place.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hello,

Lovely photos and an excellent write up. Kerala is God's Own Country and the beauty of the state is extraordinary.

Best wishes,
Joseph

Linda Vincent said...

Thank you for visiting my blog.
Yours is full of wonderful photos….…I feel like I’ve been on a journey.

Anupama K. Mazumder said...

Very Nice and well assembled.

sm said...

nice pics
looks you enjoyed party

nishaslifestyle.blogspot.com said...

very nice to see ur blog...gr8 trips and lovely snaps...

Swapna Raghu Sanand said...

It looks like you've had a great deal of fun. Pics told us that too:) I liked the little details you described with regard to the boats and the boat races among other things.

D.Nambiar said...

Can't wait to go on a housboat.

Yet said...

Oh my gosh! WANT SO MUCH! You are now on "the list" of top cool things that bloggers post about. And the food! Wow! Amazing looking!

Anonymous said...

I've been on a couple of houseboat trips but none so exotic. That looks fab. I must say that I cracked up at the music selection.

Gayathri said...

Kerala Houseboat Stay

abhinav said...

nice pics
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