Munnar and its muted beauty was a great experience, but what was lying ahead for us was the focal point of our trip. You cannot go to Kerala and miss out on staying in the houseboats of the Alleppey backwaters. So, this happened to be the first thing we planned when we decided to go to Kerala. After an early morning breakfast, we boarded our cab, and made out of the serpentine ways of Munnar on to the road to Alleppey backwaters. It was a long ride of more than 4hours that took us to the western part of Kerala. Our driver accompanied us to the boarding point of the small boats. Now, let me tell you here that I am hugely scared of water. I always fear that I am going to drown any moment when I am on a boat. Despite this fear, I hopped on to the boat which was in moderately fine condition. This was the boat that took us to the main houseboat. The journey from this boat to the luxurious houseboat was also a treat to the eyes. Lush greenery, huge tilted coconut groves, and captivating waterways created a scene that was to be etched in the memory forever. And then we reached the island from where we were supposed to board the honeymoon suite houseboat. Words will fall short to describe the beauty and luxury defined in these houseboats. By the exterior, you might judge it quite wrongly but the real surprise awaits you when you enter the houseboats. The one where we stayed was no less than a palace. A huge deck which functioned as the balcony, a spacious room with quaint furniture, a royal bathroom with bathtub, and a compact dining area; what more can anybody wish for! It was surely our very own private space on waters. The driver and his assistant were very sweet people who ensured we get the best of the ride on waters. Chatty by nature, I went out to them and struck conversation finding about the best time to visit the area, the popular cuisines, Christian rituals of wedding (since the driver was Christian), and what else to see in Kerala. He took us through the wide backwaters of Alleppey and halted in an island where my husband purchased a choice of fish for the dinner and the one thing for which this state is famous - coconuts. The coconuts had a great taste and were huge in size. Even what was more surprising was the color of the coconuts, red. You get to see the green ones of course but the red ones taste yummier. The driver was not only a friendly guy but was also a great cook. I hate fish; like anything. But his fried fish is worth mentioning. I gorged onto an entire fish leaving very little space for anything else. The food was awesome and so were the arrangements. The serene beauty surrounding us made our stay not only joyful but peaceful as well. In the afternoon, we were parked around an island where we played carom and badminton. We were also offered a collection of latest movies to watch, so our entire evening was spent watching movies. Since, it was slightly raining in the evening, this seemed to be the better alternative.
After another sumptuous meal at dinner, we went to our beds with happy stomachs and satisfied souls. However, I could barely sleep well. Spending a night amidst all the weird sounds of animals and water lapping onto the boat’s edges is an experience you must have. The next morning was bright and sunny that held a lot of promises for us, as we embarked on our journey further to Kovalam. Although the excitement of seeing the beach of Kovalam was something to look forward to, but I was a tad sad as I didn’t want to leave this little slice of heaven that felt was designed for me. From the natural beauty to the luxurious experience, from food to hospitality, everything about Alleppey backwaters resonates the theme of this state – God’s Own Country. Surely, a place that we will miss quite a lot. |
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