Cruising the Backwaters of Kerala
Kerala is known as God’s own country, for good reason. The luscious stretches of green paddy fields and plantations, serene beaches, beautiful hill stations, pristine waterfalls, tranquil backwaters and exotic wildlife all within just a couple of hours of driving distance from the other makes this beautiful state one of the most sought after tourist destinations of the world! Add the Ayurvedic spas, exotic cuisine and the equable climate, Kerala is truly a tourist’s paradise.
No trip to Kerala will be complete without a cruise through the stretches of emerald backwaters – a network of exquisite channels, lakes, lagoons and deltas of approximately 44 rivers emptying in the Arabian sea. Kumarakom is the home of Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater lake in Kerala, and is only an hour away from my parents’ home. In my opinion Kumarakom is the most beautiful place in Kerala, a cruise through the Vembanad lake in a houseboat is an experience of a lifetime – the lush greenery along the coastline, the serenity of the water and the glimpses of life along the way – it is a trip you will never forget! Let me take you through a pictorial tour of my unforgettable houseboat experience from last week.
How many different shades of green are there in nature? Chances are that you will get to see all of them along the way. The luscious coconut trees lining the shore…
Certain parts of the lake is completely covered with a green weed called African Payal , even though it is a nuisance to the fishermen and the boats, you can’t help but marvel at its beauty!
Vembanad lake is home to Karimeen (pearl spot fish), prawns and lobsters, three of the most expensive marine crops in Kerala. So naturally fishing is the livelihood of many people. We found many couples laying the fishing nets in the water in the evening. Then they just wait in the small boats till morning, taking shifts sleeping. Hopefully the net is full of fish in the morning! 
We came across some world famous Chinese fishing nets, a major tourist attraction in Kerala.
Three fishermen returning home in the morning with the night’s catch…
Kumarakom houseboats are luxuriously furnished, cozy floating homes that come with all necessities like running water, electricity and luxuries like air conditioning, home theater system and personal chefs! We had a three bedroom houseboat, all three bedrooms were nicely furnished with large almost king sized beds and attached bathrooms with nice working showers and clean European style toilets.
We entered into the open living/dining room with a large dining table and chairs, and cushioned seating all around the room and a flat screen TV , a DVD player and surround sound system. A small narrow corridor from here took us to the three bedrooms at the end of which is a small but fully functional kitchen. Wish I took pictures of the bedrooms!
We had three staff on the boat, a driver, a chef and an additional person to serve the dishes, help the driver, buy us things etc. That is our very talented personal chef in action. This guy was whipping out some seriously yummy food from this tiny kitchen!
Our friendly driver also acted as the tour guide and gave us just enough information about the sights along the water, and answered all our questions very patiently.
We were greeted with a Kerala style welcome drink of fresh tender coconuts, the most refreshing natural thirst quenchers. What is better than tender coconut water? A tender coconut martini of course! That is Siv pouring Grey Goose and freshly squeezed lime juice into then tender coconut.
Our trip was from 12 noon to 10 am next day. When we got into the boat, our lunch was being prepared in the kitchen. Kerala style thali- rice and a variety of vegetarian dishes with Karimeen fry on the side.
Karimeen aka pearl spot is the tastiest backwater fish and no trip to Kumarakom is complete without a taste of this. The Karimeen was getting marinated in a red spicy masala when we got in, then they were fried in coconut oil, and served hot to the table.
While the lunch was being prepared, the boat took us to a toddy shop along the coast, from where we bought some lobsters fried on a stick for lunch, and fresh lobsters to be prepared later for dinner. Our chef took these lobsters, and cooked us a spicy lobster roast for drinks in the evening. 
Fresh coconut toddy served in an earthenware pot. There are plenty of toddy shops along the way, you can get the staff to get you some right to the boat. 
The houseboat trip is relatively cheap, compared to a nice hotel. Our three bedroom boat for 6 people for a night (22 hours total) came to about $250 before tips. This includes lunch, dinner and breakfast and the personal services of three men completely on our beck and call. Where else in the world can you get such luxury for that prize? You can also get customizable tour packages that includes some sight seeing side trips, multiple nights stay etc.
For more information on Kerala and Kumarakom, check out these links:
http://www.kumarakomguide.com/
Get It While It's Hot!
You can get Live to Eat updates instantaneously by e-mail or in Facebook or through your favorite RSS Reader.
|
|
 Subscribe to RSS Feed  Follow
on Facebook |
You might also like these posts...
wowo.. :drool: ..just great…you guys had fun…
*sigh*. *jealous*. Always wanted to go to Kumarakom. Sounds like you had a blast, can’t wait to hear detailed stories once you’re back
Lucky you !!!! Looking at the pics I am sure u had a great time.Thanks for sharing.Never knew the boats in Kerala were so luxurious! The fried fish looked delicious.Did u happen to not the recipe
Just kidding…
My bro and sis in law went after wedding to Alleppey’s backwaters Sig and from then we were planning a trip there. After seeing these pictures, I just can’t wait now!! Fantastic scenery and amazing food!!
though i am from kerala , have not visited the back waters… i know its a shame.. and you beautiful shots are making me yearn even more…
i m sure you had a great time…
Beautiful Sig and the food delicious. We alwasys try to work a trip of Kerela into our schedule when we visit. Sometimes we don’t and the trip seems unsatisfying somehow.
Hi Sig…beautiful pics…I am from Kottayam and we too visited Kumarakom last year…I am sure you had a good time there….
k and i stayed on a houseboat for 2 days during our honeymoon…..and it was the best part of a fabulous honeymoon in kerala…..brought back such beautiful memories!! pics are great!!
hey sig, thanks for sharing these gorgeous pictures! It was such a delight going thru them
btw, what season is best suited to visit there? enjoy…..
When did u go?!
You’re taking too many vacations, u know…
BEAUTIFUL pics Sig! I want to go there … NOW.
woooooow…. love the pics…..hope have a great time…
Those photos were great. We’ve been trying to plan a trip over there for a while now and haven’t been able to. Now I’ve just gotta find a way! Thanks for sharing.
Hey Sig,
Nice explanation… so wonderful.
Wow! Great scenery and yummy food! This really is fun! :party: I want some tender coconut :drool:
Beautiful pictures, dear!
We did the houseboat / Kumarakom for our honeymoon – what an awesome trip it was. Would love to go there again!
Wonderful pics sig!being a naval officers wife been in and out of Cochin and experienced the backwaters in a houseboat also…your pics rekindled some beautiful memories…thankx:)
What ? You are in India ? Oh my Goddd.. I am alll jealous here.
Each picture is telling a tale of the glorious time you are having there. The fish fry and the lobster fry and simplyy superb. :drool:
very nice pics and yummy food ! :drool:
:party: U transported me back to my HM days! The houseboat onthe backwaters was AWESOME!!!!! :party:
Flower): 
Flower): 
Flower):
ho! dushtteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!
Wow, lovely picutes with great narration. Yes, I can say Kerala is God’s own country by looking at the beautiful scenic pics. Glad you had so much fun.
Beautiful blog! Glad I stopped by. I would love to visit India someday, it seems like such a country to contrasts. That coconut juice sure look tasty!
The seafood looking amazing! Your beautiful pictures remind me of my homeland, Vietnam.
Thanks for the trip!
It is hard to explain and I don’t know if it makes sense but looking at Kerala gets me all choked up
I would love to visit one day.
Sig, those are some amazing pictures…I’ve heard so much about the backwaters of Kerala…maybe someday…
Beautiful pics…..our honeymoon trip was to Allepey in a houseboat…..
Wow the pics were amazing and the food looked tasty! Im so jealous but happy that you guys got to experience such an awesome trip. I am sending your blog link to Bhatji as a hint
well ok not a hint but a very direct request hehe 
Sig are you trying to torture us.
Love the pictures and not to mentiong the karimeen yumm.
Sigh… Am sooo jealous, Sig!! This is definitely on my list of places to visit!
Sig, truly great pics…and nice article about kumarakam. Thank you,
Hi Sig
I did a similar trip in 98 and a rush of memories came flooding back. Of course, I was silly then and didnt think of your great coconut martini idea! Just beers. Perfect for that hot april weather.
Glad to see you having a ball.
A
Very timely. I was looking at possible Kerala options for the summer… Nice pics, as usual.
We stayed at Kumarakom for a dreamy 4 days in 2005….it was so beautiful I still remember the peace and tranquility. It rained one day – the way it doesn on the West coast – amazingly beautiful. The red earth and green everywhere just refreshed our senses! Our last holiday as a couple (before we became this mad threesome with my daughter) is forever etched in my mind! Thanks for the memories Sig – thats a nice travelogue you have written!
Sig! Thnx for sharing the pictures with all of us. Those all look so beautiful and serene! Me wanting to visit kerela now!!
Wow!! must have been fun! Awesome pictures!
Are you in India ? This is so beautiful
We had been to Kumarogam (spelling ??) about 6-7 years back and it was beautiful
Oh stupid me, your post is about “Kumarakom ”
We had actually been to Thekkady where we were staying and made a day trip to Kumarakom. Took the boat ride but not the house boat
ohh you stayed in the boat house, awesome! This seems to be the hottest vacation spot right now..atleast for my family…every other week I get pics from India of this very boat house..hehe..Beautiful Kerala!
I am soooooooo green with J sig… this is totally unfair of u
Wonderful! I planned for a trip and almost booked my tickets and then my elder one was on the way
After that am yet to plan again! Wonderful lobsters! u would have loved them 
Sig, your pictures look awesome,that karimmen fry looks so yummy.I have been reading about the booming house boat businees in kerala.But your pictures gave a better idea.enjoy your vacation.
Lovely travelogue Sig.
the pics, description of each nitty details… Awesome post! 
Yes):
Siri
Oh Sig this looks beautiful. My brother and Mum were in Kerala recently too and took amazing pictures too. Seeing yours here I think I am really missing out on God’s country.
Really enjoyed this virtual trip…i have never been to these places…and a houseboat stay is a must do, on my list
Hugs
N
its realy amazing
What a great post! I’m definitely adding Kerala and its riverboats to my dream destination/travel experiences list!
Yes):
We visited this place in December 2008 and it was indeed a beautiful experience. We will remember those moments and cherish them too. Read my article “exotic destinations in Kerala” posted in http://www.mangalorean.com . Please find time to visit and your precious comments would be highly appreciated. It will definitely motivate me to become more, do more and inspire me to do better.
http://www.mangalorean.com/browsearticles.php?arttype=Travelogue&articleid=1425
Waiting to hear some few lines from YOU!!
Thanks and best wishes
Claude
I have 6 houseboat in kerala
Where does all the waste from the houseboats go??
Leave your response!
Recent Posts
Subscribe
Enter your e-mail id in the box below to get new posts in your email:
Categories
Archives