“If you haven’t taken a ride on
the houseboat and explored the backwaters of Kerala then you haven’t seen
anything yet. “ The true essence of being in Kerala is experienced when you
take a ride in the Houseboats on the backwaters. It takes you into that part of
Kerala which has managed to stay unswayed from the modern influences. You are
guaranteed to get enthralled by the beauty of it and it will be one of those
experiences that will stay forever engraved in your memory.
The backwaters of Kerala
stretches for 900 km interconnected by several waterways, rivers, lakes and
inlets. It is made up of unique
eco-system and home to various types of flora and fauna. Traditional houseboats
are very famous in which you could take a ride and savour the beauty of the
backwaters of Kerala.
Traditional houseboats are
referred as ‘Kettuvallam’ by the locals in Kerala. These boats are made in such
a way that not a single nail is used and this itself is a unique feature of
Kettuvallam. Planks of jack-wood are finely tied with Coir (Stiff coarse fibre
from the outer husk of a coconut) and coated with black resin. Once completed,
the houseboats can last for many years to come.
Originally these Kettuvallam were
used as mediums of transport for carrying rice, spices and coconuts before the
modern modes of transport replaced the traditional ones. At present Kerala
houseboats are among the most famous tourist attractions. There are as many as
2000 house boats in Kerala and most of them cater to the needs of tourists
visiting the place. It is interesting to
know that these houseboats are made of materials that are natural. Bamboo,
coir, wood from areca and coconut trees is used to make the entire houseboat.
Houseboats are of many types
which have different charges and depending upon the budget of the traveller
they can choose which suits their pockets. Houseboats with air-condition,
deluxe bedrooms and bathrooms, television, swimming pool, Jacuzzi are all
available for people who are willing to pay for it. Alleppey is the best place for hiring a
traditional thatched roof houseboat. You can hire a boathouse for a day or for
a week; it all totally depends on you. Traditional meals are prepared by master
cooks for the guests on board.
The best season is from December
to January end which is also the peak season. The weather during this time of
the year is cooler, dry and pleasant than in other months. Monsoon season also
attracts many visitors and many combine their houseboat hire with ayurvedic
treatment. Houseboats are available for hire throughout the year; however, the
prices may fluctuate depending on the demand.
A cruise in a houseboat is a
perfect getaway for couples who have come for their honeymoon. The experience
will be nothing less than a romantic one. These houseboats are also ideal for
family vacation and for business meetings. The experience of cruising the
backwaters of Kerala in a boathouse will certainly be something to cherish
about. The enchanting surroundings and the charm of the backwaters will keep
the travellers captivated and leave them begging for more.
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