One of the highlights of staying in Kerala is to take a tour of the backwaters on a Kettuvallam or houseboat.
The boats leave from Alappuzha or Alleppey as it was formerly known, and take you through the maze of canals, rivers and lakes that make up the backwaters.
The original kettuvallams were used to carry rice and spices to Kochi. They were simply constructed from planks of jack wood joined together with coir. The hull of each was then painted with a black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. Bamboo mats would be used for roofing and coir mats for the floor. Today most have simply decorated bedrooms and showers, basins and flushing toilets to make an overnight stay recommended. A beautiful big deck lets you sit out and enjoy the passing view whilst your chef prepares a delicious southern Indian curry for you to enjoy.
The canals were dug over one hundred years ago to help transport coir, a coconut husk fibre used in floor mats and rope. It is still the only means of transport in some of these areas.
Coconut trees and  lush undergrowth line the banks as you glide by. Sometimes the weeds in the canals make it seem like a continuous sea of green.
Everyday life is played out along the banks. Men fish, women wash their clothes and the children play in the water as the delivery boats pass.
Apart from being a very relaxing way to see the area, Â it is an interesting window into the way of life of those living in the backwaters of Kerala.
Have you been to Kerala?
The Backwaters of Kerala
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Should I ever make it to India, Kerala is one of the places I would visit – just so I could enjoy a ride on the houseboat. I love being able to watch a slice of daily life.
India is fascinating Leigh because every region is different to the other and Kerala is no exception. The backwaters of Kerala are unique and it is one of the highlights of a visit there.
I too wrote about canals this week for TPThursday, isn’t it interesting how a single noun like ‘canal’ can look so different when it becomes reality!? Most interesting post and photos.
Thanks Jackie. They’re very different canals aren’t they! So opposite in so many ways but both fascinating in their own right.
I’ve never heard of Kerala so I really appreciate the insight that your photos and post offer. If I ever make it, I’ll be sure to take one of those houseboat tours. What a wonderful way to see the area!
This is just one aspect of what Kerala offers Tonya. There’s spice plantations, tea growing areas and fishing villages further up the coast but the backwaters is certainly the one area for which it is well known.I hope you get to visit one day
What a wonderful way to explore Kerala! I only know of Kerala from the reading the book The God of Small Things – have you read it? Sounds like a beautiful area of India!
Kerala is famous for its backwaters so it’s an area that should be seen. I loved the book Cherina. I try to read books pertinent to where I’m travelling at the time and I remember reading this on my trip across southern India.
This is one of the areas of India I know I would like to visit. The pace of life on the canals would be such a contrast to other areas in India. I enjoy boats and the water very much so Kerala is most definitely on my list.
Kerala is so different to any other part of India. It reminds me more of Sri Lanka or Asia than India. You’d enjoy the canal trip Jan.
What a beautiful boat 🙂
Thanks Lili. It was very comfortable cruising on it.
What a wonderful trip, Jenny, and I just love the Houseboat. Years ago I nearly went on one in India, but missed the chance. This has made me wish I’d persevered and done it 🙂
What a shame you missed the trip to India Jo. If you ever go, don’t forget about this trip in Kerala
Kerala is one of the places I really want to visit.
It’s very interesting Debra as there are so many different faces to it…spice plantations, tea growing areas, fishing villages, Kochi and, of course, fabulous food!
Simply beautiful and ingenious. I caught a snippet of a piece on the many uses of coconut, including coir. We use it to make mats and paper here. I didn’t realize it was that strong.
It’s incredible what you can do with it isn’t it Marcia. Perfect when its from the area!
India isn’t currently on my list, but if I were to go I think I’d prefer to go to a location like this. Thanks for the insight!
India is a fascinating country Amy. Kerala is probably a softer option if you did want to go to India..it’s very different to Rajasthan.
I’ve never heard of Kerala but enjoyed your serene pictures. That boat was awesome! Reminded me of an armadillo.
Thanks Debbie. I can see your armadillo likeness! The backwaters of this southern state of India are very peaceful.
I would love to see India and other places through canals and rivers. These houseboats are wonderful places to stay at and a really great way to see their everyday lives. I’ve never heard of Kerala or a kettuvallam but alas, the wonders of reading travel blogs and constantly being amazed at what others have done. Thanks for this, Jenny.
I hope I have tempted you to visit India one day Mary! This southern state is very different and offers so much to see..spice plantations, tea growing areas and the fisherman of the coast…not forgetting the houseboats of the backwaters!
Staying in a houseboat on Dal Lake in Kashmir has always been high on my list. Didn’t know you could travel by houseboat down south in Kerala; how cool. Looks very tempting, watching life as you slowly glide past. I’ve heard Kerala is a lovely, hot part of India.
It’s a beautiful part of India Sophie ad offers so much that is different to Rajasthan and the north. I too missed the good days of staying on a houseboat on Dal Lake!
I’d choose Kerla than other place of India of course. I don’t want to miss fish items, lunch on banana leaf and curious to know the way of living.
There’s so much to see in Kerala. I agree the food is so delicious…..
Such an interesting post…it is like another place in time. It must have been a wonderful experience.
Thanks Karen. it was definitely a fabulous trip. I had travelled from Chennai so it was great to sit back, relax and see the life on the canals.
Kerala is another place I had not heard of till you blogged about it. Beautiful! I think I just want to stowaway in your suitcase–you take the most amazing trips!
India has always fascinated me Karene, so over the years I have seen quite a lot of the country. Kerala is one fo the better known areas of India
Beautiful! The boat looks so comfortable. I haven’t been to India. This reminds me of Inle Lake in Myanmar. I spent a number of days visiting the communities, and there only mode of transportation are small boats.
Thanks Nancie. It was very comfortable. It sounds as though it could be quite similar to Inle Lake in Myanmar.
Hi Jenny, I din’t make it to Kerala when I visited India. Kerala is on top of my list to visit when I return. I heard so much about its backwaters. Your photos are very transporting and convey why the backwaters are worth visiting. I like how you captured the tranquility and way of life along the canals. Really beautiful post.
Thanks Marisol. I love that you have to keep returning to India to see all the different regions.The backwaters are only one part of this interesting area. Theres also the spice plantations to see, the tea growing areas and the fishing villages along the coast. Kochi is also fascinating. Hope you get to visit one day!
I am very interested in India since I first visited New Delhi, Agra and Varanasi and I was so impressed by this country. The whole essence of life is on the ghats of Varanasi! Thanks for the wonderful images from Kerala, I am now considering to visit.
Kerala is certainly an area worth visiting. You’ll find it very different to the other areas you have visited. Hope you get to explore Kerala one day. Thanks for stopping by and commenting
amazing! would love to ride that boat! beautiful indeed. thanks for sharing! 🙂
Happy to share! I can recommend the boat trip on the backwaters. it is certainly a very relaxing way to see everyday life along the canals
Those boats are incredible!
It’s a fun way to tour Andrea. Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve never been to India, and most of my mental images of it are the Taj Mahal and Rajasthan. I enjoyed you giving us a peek into the backwaters of Kerala and what boat travel is like there.
For me, the fact that Kerala is so different to Rajasthan contributes to my fascination of this diverse country. I hope you get to see it for yourself Michele whilst you are living so close.