This was a trip to Allapuzha from my college days when I was a student. Around 12 of my college friends and I planned this trip together.
On the first day, which we like to call 'Day 0,' our journey began in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. At around 4 o'clock in the evening, we boarded a train at Madurai Railway Junction. The ticket price was quite affordable, approximately around 200 rupees per person. The next morning, at around 6 o'clock, we arrived at Allapuzha station.
After arriving at Allapuzha station, we hired two large auto-rickshaws to take us to the boat house area, where we could find Allapuzha houseboats. There were many houseboat rental places, but we chose a place called Trium Resorts in Allapuzha. We began negotiating with the boat owner, and after some haggling, we settled on a price of around 22,000 rupees, I believe. Since it was a weekday, the rates were more reasonable compared to weekends when prices tend to be much higher. We had to wait for about an hour because the boats only set sail after 11 AM.
After 11 AM, the boat set sail, and we were warmly greeted with welcome drinks. We placed our luggage in our rooms and headed upstairs to admire the balcony view from the boat. We began taking photos and videos while enjoying the beautiful scenery and the lifestyle of Allapuzha.
As the boat continued to glide through the backwaters on a sunny day, we had a blast, singing party songs, dancing, and just having a great time with our friends. Then, it was time for lunch, and I must say, we had an amazing meal during that trip. The boat stopped in the middle of a picturesque paddy field, surrounded by the backwaters on both sides. The menu included a full meal with sambhar, rasam, three types of vegetables, papadum, pickles, and the highlight – delicious fish fry. The lunch was absolutely fantastic and well worth it and at around 4 PM, the boat set off to another fantastic location as the evening approached. The weather took a delightful turn from sunny to rainy, and we had the most incredible experience enjoying the rain from the boat. It was my first time feeling the rain in the backwaters while on a boat, and the location was truly magical.
After a cloudy sunset, the boat anchored near a remote village. This village was like an island because every family there had their own boat for personal use. We disembarked and explored the village, watching the villagers engage in fishing activities as evening fell. After it got completely dark, we returned to the boat and enjoyed a delicious dinner consisting of chicken curry, chapati, and white rice. The dinner was truly fantastic. Later in the night, we had a lively party with Kerala's own liquor called 'kallu,' and the entire night was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Good morning, officially Day 2! It was a wonderful morning as we sipped our morning tea, taking in the picturesque view of Allapuzha from the boat. Since it was a weekday, we saw school children commuting to school on boats, and employees and college students waiting at boat stops for their government boats. It was quite a unique experience for us, as it showcased a different way of life.
Finally, our boat ride came to an end at 10 o'clock in the morning. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we disembarked at the same spot where our journey had begun. It had been an incredible experience. From there, we returned to the Allapuzha bus stand, took a bus to Kottayam, then another to Kumily, and finally, one more to Madurai. We reached home around 11 PM that night.
End of the trip.
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