Kettuvallams ... Captain .. oh ...Captain

Kerala will be so incomplete without the Houseboat experience in the Kerala backwaters ... This post is an effort to chronicle the experience of six awestruck travelers for posterity.

After a long drive in the sweltering Kerala heat, we reached Allepey - Venice of the East , from Munnar. And then we embarked on the experience of a lifetime.

Houseboats in Kerala are called Kettuvalams ( In Malayalam , kettu - means tying and valam -means rustic boats). You are transported to the main Kettuvalam in small canoes .. yes the very canoes which are a primary source of transport in the backwaters. Well , the six of us sat in the canoes without as much daring to move a finger for fear of capsizing the canoe. We had heard enough stories of friends being dunked into the backwaters.

And then we saw our Kettuvalam , Mayoora tethered to a coconut tree. It was a 1BHK,stocked with a home theater and a library, with an unfurnished upper deck. That was all we could get on that day , considering we did not have any previous bookings and wanted a good deal for the money spent....(read something easy on our pockets...:-) )

After a traditional welcome by the staff, we set out on a magical cruise with a helper,cook and attendant in tow. As we were cruising along the waters - we came across many kettuvalams, rented by mostly foreign tourists. Some of thekettuvalams had upto 11 bedrooms and were huge.

As we went along, the waters suddenly opened out to the vast expanse of Lake Vembanad. For three magical hours , we were engulfed by the sounds of the screeching of sea gulls,the waves lapping against the boat and the dull drone of the engines.

We were served lunch cooked on board, sea food bought fresh from the banks of the backwaters. So after a sumptuous meal ,we settled down to watch the waters and the landscape glide by.

Sadly, we could not extend our cruise as the next occupants were a newly wed couple on their honeymoon.. the staff had started decorating Mayoora for them , much to our amusement.

I don't know ... but somehow that glide along the vast waters , put a lot of things into perspective for me.

The next time we are on a Kettuvalam, I want it to be on a moonlit night. Or at the time , monsoon announces its arrival in Kerala ,or gliding in the waters when there is a slight drizzle.

I have struck one thing off the Things to do before I die list ...

Happy Exploring ,

Sravs