05/12/2012
The Alluring Backwaters of Kerala
The entire state of Kerala is criss-crossed with waterways that provide for irrigation and also serve as convenient mode of transportation and commerce. Next to the coastline, these endless stretches of la
kes and lagoons together are called the backwaters. Life along these canals and byways is quite different from that seen along the highways. Many of the villages are isolated and entirely dependent on the canals for means of livelihood, transportation and communication…and the best way to explore these surroundings is by a houseboat.
The largest backwaters stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad Lake which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Cochin port. The Ashtamudi Lake is the second largest which covers a major portion of kollam district in the south and considered the gateway to the backwaters.
A houseboat ride through these placid waters is a heavenly experience, with visions of life gliding silently by. The houseboats of Kerala offer exquisite holidays. Most of the houseboats come with bath-attached bedrooms, a living room, open deck and a kitchenette. The crew – an oarsman, a cook and if required a guide, will ensure that you have a sensational voyage filled with simple pleasures, exotic sights and memorable experiences.
