Kerala Houseboats – Journey of Eternal Charm
Kerala is like eternal beauty has taken a form and incarnated in geography. This charming region is nestled between Western Ghats and Arabian Sea. Kerala is situated in the Malabar Coast of southwestern India. With its attractions like pristine beaches, mist shrouded hill stations, placid backwaters, enchanting wilds, verdant landscape and sophisticated art forms Kerala attracts millions into its fold.
Out of all attractions, backwater is an attraction unique to Kerala. Backwater is a singular Kerala occurrence. One will not be able to find a similar phenomenon anywhere else in the world. Backwater is a network which connects almost all coastal towns and cities of Kerala. It is complex and formed by canals and inlets which are both manmade and natural, estuaries of over forty rivers and five lakes. Backwaters were a means of transport for local folk. It connected isolated backwater villages to main towns before the advent of bridges, ferries and roads. The local people also depended on backwaters for means of sustenance such as fishing and agriculture. In short, backwater was of economic importance. It still is economically significant by earning millions for Kerala economy through tourism.
The reason scores are attracted to backwaters is its exquisite setting. The shores are adorned by monuments, abodes, swaying coconut trees, emerald flora and lush green paddy fields, fishing nets and various activities of rural day to day life. Backwaters are embellished by water flowers including water lilies. The fame of cruises along backwaters savoring this gorgeous landscape is on a high crescendo.
Houseboats have now attained iconic status in the realm of Kerala backwater tours. Kerala houseboats are considered enticing and best to savor the bizarre beauty of backwaters. The backwaters of Kerala are gifted with lovely ambience and enlivening natural splendor which is experienced best when cruising over them on the traditional houseboat. Houseboats in Kerala are modeled on erstwhile “Kettuvallams”. They are designed to meet the luxurious needs of contemporary travelers without compromising on the ethnic charm and milieu in its design and décor. Kettuvallams earlier ruled the backwaters. Its majestic journey, rowed by mostly two men with bamboo poles was a sight to behold. It is huge and has large carrying capacity. So it was used to carry rice, coconuts and other items from isolated backwater villages to main towns. But with the advent of modern amenities like roads, bridges and ferries Kettuvallams slowly faded out from the scene. Now tourism has given it new lease of life and doubles up as houseboats. Kettuvallams came with thatched roofs over wooden hulls to offer protection from elements of nature. Although the form remains largely unaltered, houseboats are two to three storied affairs with one to five bedrooms. Other than sleeping space, dining space and a sit out open on all sides are provided. From this sit out exquisite beauty of backwaters can be relished. Houseboats are adjoined with generators and provide for air conditioning. A crew including a cook accompanies guests. The menu is usually indigenous variety with local fish included. Houseboats are run on a languishing speed, even though motorized letting one savor the landscape to its fullest. Spending a night in houseboat with it docked in backwaters is a heavenly affair. This is more so if the night is moonlit.
Vijay Joshi is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tours related topics. He has authored many books on Houseboats in Kerala. Find more information plz visit http://www.keralahouseboat.org/
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