Alappuzha,
Alleppey,
Alleppey backwater tour,
Alleppey boathouse,
backwater,
Kerala,
Kochi,
Kumarakom houseboat,
lagoons,
lake palace Alleppey,
Travel
Kerala - In the Venice of the East
2:32 AM |
| Backwaters of Allepey |
“Let go the anchor!, Aye Aye Captain!”
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| Captain of the Houseboat |
The two crew members let the anchor loose and captain ignited the engine with full power to set for sail. It was a partially cloudy midday and the wind was just right for a relaxed sail. We were all set for the backwater cruise.
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| Houseboat on sail |
We were at Alleppey the land of backwater, canals, lagoons, paddy fields and coconut trees. We drove approximately 140 km from Thekkady to Alleppey after an early morning boat safari at Thekkady. We stepped in the houseboat at around 12 noon. We were given a warm welcome with a traditional drink and fruits. We were hungry and tired as well. The crew said that we had the option of fishing by ourselves and they would cook it in Kerala style. We declined that option as I was a vegetarian and my friends happily settled for all vegetarian lunch.As we planned to spend one night on the houseboat we took a two bedroom and kitchen houseboat. Houseboats come with various options depending on how long you wish to be on it. There are day cruisers also which will take you selected islands and ferry you back to the town by evening but for those who wish to experience being on the backwaters opt houseboats having rooms.
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| Our luxurious houseboat |
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| Our Houseboat |
We sat on the deck and were completed engulfed by the scenic beauty of the backwaters. Coconut trees and paddy fields run along this criss-cross of six major rivers and canals which forms a part of the National Waterway 3 in Kerala. It is breathtaking view. Brahminy Kites, Kingfishers, Snake Birds, Herons and many more are quite commonly found here as they feed on freshwater aquatic life of backwaters. In between there are smaller islands where villagers live. They can be seen commuting though smaller boats from one island to the other.
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| Fisherman on a small boat |
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| Allepey Backwaters |
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| Allepey Backwaters |
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| Brahminy Kite |
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| Brahminy Kite |
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| Magpie |
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| Rufous Treepie |
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| Kingfisher |
I had just begin to capture all this with few clicks when it started raining Oh! it was heaven, truly felt like God’s own country. We enjoyed our lunch at the deck amidst the rains. It was the monsoon season and we knew the rain is going to be our friend here for sometime. We had spent the entire noon with the picturesque beauty of backwaters.
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| Allepey Backwaters, Kerala |
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| Houseboat, Allepey Backwaters, Kerala |
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| Allepey Backwaters, Kerala |
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| Rain Clouds, Allepey Backwaters, Kerala |
Late in the evening our houseboat was anchored near the captain’s village. Houseboats do not sail in the night. The captain leaves for his house and the tourists remain in the houseboat near the village shore. There is not much in the night one can do. We decided to retire to bed early as we were to head to Kochi next day.
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| Sunset, Allepey Backwaters, Kerala |
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| Snake in the backwaters of Allepey |
We bid adieu to the backwaters with a heavy heart next day. I look forward to visiting Alleppey again and this time I would cruise to Kochi rather than driving by road.
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| Fishermen in the backwaters of Allepey, Kerala |
Plan a trip to this God’s world, satiate with the local cuisine, rejuvenate yourself with ayurveda and feel the magic of backwaters on cruise.
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| Heavy rainfall in the backwaters of Allepey, Kerala |
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| Allepey Backwaters during the Monsoons |
Places to see
- Small Islands
- Travel to Kumarakom in houseboat
- Travel to Cochin in houseboat
Accommodation
- Gambit Cruises Houseboat
- Cosy Houseboat
- River Escapes
- Riverine Resort
- KTDC Tamarind Resort
- Lake Heaven Island Resort
How to reach
- Rail - Alleppey Railway Station within the city is well connected with Cochin and Trivandrum
- Air - Nearest airport is Cochin International Airport which is 75 kms from Alleppey. Cabs are easily available outside the airport for Allppey.
- Road - Alleppey is accessible by National Highway-47, which goes through Ambalapuzha and Cherthala cities. Alleppey is well connected to other cities such as Kochi, Kottayam, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore and Coimbatore by road.
