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Backwaters
In Kerala
backwaters network is 1500 kms of canals, both manmade and natural,
44 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to
the other.
Before the trucks
became popular, the main cargo transportation was through backwaters
by 'Kettuvalloms'. They are country boats, about 70 feet
long, upto 30 tonnes capacity, made of wooden planks joined and
stitched together with coir and coated with cashew nut oil or fishoil
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In the earlier days,
boatmen rarely stopped along the waterways for meals. Their diet
consisted of freshly caught backwater fish, like karimeen (pearlspot)
and kalanchi (barramundi, an estuarial and fresh water game fish,
also found in Australia), non-perishable staples such as lentils
and local large grain "red" rice, and spices coriander, ginger,
dried chillies, turmeric, and black mustard seeds.
They carry these
in whole form to retain their freshness, grinding them into a
spice paste with a stone and "rolling pin" on a matching flat
stone block. Added into the paste was a liberal measure of grated
coconut, or coconut milk which was also the source of the boatmens'
cooking oil.
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Houseboats
are converted ‘kettuvalloms’. They are designed for comfortable
cruise and overnight stay. The boat has one / two bath attached
double bedrooms with modern comforts, a living cum dining room,
sundeck and a kitchen. The boat has solar lamps and fans. The Houseboats
are of premium category (Golden Star - approved
by Department of Tourism, Kerala State). Houseboats
are available with A.C. / Non A.C. bed rooms. Houseboats with 100
/150 seat conference hall are also available. This can be used for
wedding engagements, weddings, birth day parties, board meetings,
product launching, staff conferenses etc.
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Boarding
There are many boarding points
and routes to choose from depending on your time, budget and itinerary.
The boarding points are Kumarakom, Alleppy, Thottappally and Alumkadave
near Kollam (Quilon).
Alleppy is 2½ hours drive from
Cochin International airport and 1½ hours from Cochin. Kumarakom
is 4 hours drive from Periyar. Thottappally is 5½ hours from Periyar
and 3½ hours from Kovalam beach. Alumkadave is 2½ hours from
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| Meals
Though based on the tradition
of fish and vegetables, in keeping with the demands of a cosmopolitan
guests, the cuisine served aboard our houseboats features a far
more sophisticated menu than a kettuvallom.
The ethnic meals are
prepared on board by a personal cook and fish delicacies like white
prawns, pearl spotted fish, crabs and mussels are the specialties.The
meals include lunch, evening coffee or tea with snacks, dinner and
breakfast. |
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