Alappuzha Backwaters

Alappuzuha is another exotic abode that has a made place deep in my heart. What could be the reason....beach, tourist spots or thr backwaters...Frankly..I cannot single out one special thing that make Allapuzuha close to my heart. Alppuzuha is close as it has all..the beaches..backwaters.

Indeed a place of immense natural beauty! Alappuzha Backwaters have a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it. I could feel the serenity of nature by just looking at them. I also had the chance of watching some of the rare migratory birds. From the houseboat, I could see the local villagers working in the paddy fields.

I was lucky to witness the amazing boat race. Hundreds of men and women had gathered & lot of excitement had built up. I also decided to be a part of the cheering crowd. The referees, dressed in white sailor uniforms, were rushing around in a boat, whistling furiously. Each race was somehow different from the other and all the people gathered, were cheering up the various teams. This boat race infused a burst of energy in me and I thoroughly enjoyed the maddening crowd of Alappuzha.

Oh! did I tell you about my backwater cruise in Allapuzuha... what an experience.. I stll vividly remember the day when I got the first stint with mother nature.With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it.

As I was alone I took my guide, Murli along with me and believe me he was a great help. He told me that Alapuzuha is also referred as the Venice of the East by travelers from across the world. In fact, he aquainted me with the fact that this backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life.

"Sir, due you know that today, Alappauzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre," informed Murli . Due to this reason it attracts several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry.

Oh! I had a great time cruising on the backwaters of Allapuzuha, as the boat silently sailed along the small villages showcasing their own culture. A pleasure in its own and probably I can never foget.

Kumarakom Backwaters

Kumarakoram backwaters were a total fun as it provided me with an opppurtunity to try boating fishing and sightseeing. Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad Lake. Kumarakom Backwaters was like a small water world and a favorite haunt of migratory birds. I saw some of the most amazing birds like cuckoo, wild duck, Siberian stork etc. and also enjoyed fishing in the waters. I witnessed one of the strangest dance forms, where the dancers, were giving peculiar expressions and gestures, with their faces painted with various bright colors.

Later, I found that the name of this dance form was Kathakali. Kumarakom Backwaters is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves along with waterways and canals filled with white lilies. I took a few pictures and the boat headed on.

Aha! did I tell you about the bird sanctaury that I happened to explore. Better known as the Orinithologist paradise, it is a favorite resort of migratory birds. Unbelievably, I captured so many birds in my own camera..Siberian Stork, egret, darter are few to name with..

Quilon Backwaters
Kollam is one of the most exotic destination that I covered, during my stay in Kerala. It took me approximately 35 minutes to travel to this place as it is 75 km from Trivandrum, the place of my stay.Oh! it was a scenic town standing on the banks of the Lake Ashtamudi is the gateway to the exceeding beautiful backwaters of Kerala.

Every moment of this trip was incredible! Quilon has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in traditional style. Simple activities like eating in small restaurants on the banks, while watching flocks of graceful ducks, meeting women selling tender coconuts in small boats and the heady fragrance of rich green paddy fields offer unique pleasures of life.

Infact, I took an 8 hrs boat trip from Kollam backwaters to Alleppey backwaters , the most comprehensive introduction to the delights of Kerala's backwaters as one passes through lakes, canals water-bound villages. The famous "Cheenavala" or Chinese fishing nets can also be seen along the backwaters. What a time??? I have stored all these memories in the form of photographs. They are the reminders of the time that I enjoyed the most in my life and that too away from the dust and din of the bustling cities.

Cochin Backwaters
A cluster of picture perfect islands, Cochin also known as Kochi, turned out to be a journey into the heart of the people of Kerala. Getting to know the pleasant people of cochin helped me in gaining insight into their deep cultural values. It is one of the finest natural harbors in the world & have a fascinating blend of the cultures of various explorers and traders, who visited this land. I also visited the coconut plantations and coir villages.

oh! how lucky I was to explore the Cochin backwaters. My guide informed me that they are known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. Kochi is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake. Some of these picturesque islands are Bolgatty, Vypeen, Gundu and Vallarpadam. The lake opens out into the Arabian Sea here to form one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Oh! how wonderful my cruise was, as I surfed through the backwater and watched the exotic blend of the cultures merely as a spectators.Boat cruises from Kochi harbor to Willingdon Island, Mattancherry Place, the Jewish Synagogue, Fort Kochi and Bolgatty Island. As I enrolled myself to the sun set that took 3 hour backwater village cruise. I also visited the coir villages and coconut plantations within the cruise.

Trivandrum Backwaters
After an eventful journey to Cochin, I arrived in Trivandrum. My days in Kerala were colorful, warm, and full of sunshine, until I reached Trivandrum. "What if it rains?" everybody questioned. But to my utter disappointment, it only drizzled for few minutes. I will remember Thiruvallam backwaters for its canoe rides. I visited the secluded beaches and the ancient historic monuments of Trivandrum.

Since my resort was in Trivandrum, I first tried the Trivandrum backwaters. Oh! Probably this is one cruise that not only made me aware of the nature but also offered many exotic tourist destination to cover. Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, is constructed on seven hills. The city gets its name from the world, Thiruvananthapuram, meaning the city of Anantha or the abode of the sacred Serpent Anantha on which Lord Vishnu reclines.

The splendid sunsets, the waxing moonlights, the shoals of ducks and the wonderful waves make the backwater destinations the most sought .The enchanting green lush trees and exotic blues attracts tourists from all over the world. I had a gala time while on my cruise in Trivandrum. The major tourists spots that I covered were Padmanabhaswamy temple, Museum complex, kannakaunnu palace and off course the Veli tourist village.

Kottayam Backwaters
It was a clear, dry day when we arrived in Kottayam. I visited various churches in Kottayam including St. Mary's Church. Built in1585, St. Mary's Church is one of the most ancient churches of Kerala. Its interiors were very impressive and on the other side of the aisle, a couple was getting married. Dusk was sheer magic, a moment of complete silence, and then time came to say goodbye to enchanting Kottayam Backwaters.