Cruising on a houseboat around the backwaters of Alleppey is a quintessential Kerala experience and one we looked forward to from the moment we booked our trip. We spent a lot of time choosing a houseboat a finally decided on a Shikara and it didn’t disappoint.
The trip goes down as one of the highlights. Our focus on the ride was pure relaxation, watching the world go by from the comfort of our boat. Alleppey has some of the most naturally beautiful backwaters forming hundreds of channels and waterways.
Lagoons, backwaters, canals, fresh water rivers and lakes, and oodles of greenery and you can still keep adding words to descried Alleppey backwaters.
The birds were another highlight of the boat trip, with colorful King Fishers, graceful black crows, egrets and herons performing aerial acrobatics. My favorite was the cormorant, who would balance on broken tree trunks before diving into the water for some fishing. You’d often see them swimming, their heads bobbling above the surface like the eye of a covert submarine operation.
Once we reached Alleppey our pick was right next to the bustand. We were welcomed with grace.Once we boarded our magical journey started.First let me explain what a Shikara looks like in these waters. A small boat with its roof covered. However all the sides are open and there are luxurious reclining seats, couch bags inside.
The Shikara normally takes you leisurely through the backwaters to the Vembanad Lake and again back to the boarding point.
I anticipated that the heat would tire is down, the air was cool and the breeze was relaxing.It slowly started moving through the backwater canals. The surrounding is lush green with numerous coconut trees. The path leads you to the open waters.
We got to see the village life from the shikara, women washing clothes, Children swimming across these canals, men fishing,small shacks along the way. The cruise in these backwaters is indeed a dream come true! It is a refuge from hectic life.
After a while cruising through,our Shikara driver stopped over for lunch in his brothers shack.We were given options from a platter of fishes,we which was fried and served. Delicious!
We lost track of time on reaching Vembanad lake,cruising in the middle of nowhere. No amount of repetition can dull the description of the swaying coconut trees, the green paddy fields, blue skys, flocks of ducks floating on the surface, cormorants, the fish-eating birds exposing only their long necks above water, and those beautiful water lilies. You have to see it to believe it.
To call Alleppey the “Venice of East” maybe a cliché, but there is truth in it.
We were still not done with Alleppey, after the backwater experience. We headed to a backwater resort in alleppey. All I can say about this place is that it is a perfect place for a getaway. The location of the resort is impressive. Situated at the bank of the backwater in Alleppey and inside the true village area made our stay completely different.
Very friendly staff, they are on their toes ready to help. Food is very tasty. Pool and indoor gam were well maintained.
Coming to my highlight of this stay. The morning boat ride to Pathrimanal Island. The name 'Pathiramanal' means 'sands of night’. Island is covered with trees with a walkway which goes from one side of island to other. It is a small island on the biggest lagoon and left peacefully for the fauna.Lots of birds, Indian and migratory along with different species of butterflies can be seen here.
The journey through Vembanad Lake is a marvelous experience. The scenic beauty of both sides of the lake as well as that of the island early morning was stunning.
A lot of reviews on this island it’s not worth the visit, because it’s not maintained or its not tourist friendly as there is nothing much to see, but I would say that’s the beauty of it. The isolation makes it a perfect place to revisit your thoughts. It’s small and uninhabited but a walk through it is absolutely mesmerizing!
And thus we discovered the most fascinating water world.