Kerala Trip: Slept on land and water this time...

[kpzen]

Samurai san!
Fantastic pics and travelogue as usual.
Keep them coming.

[dadu]

Amazing pictures, nice travelogue.

I intend to experience this one day, btw how much does it cost per day for the boat house ??

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by theMAG

Great eyecandy. How far do these houseboats travel in a day?

Around 30-40Kms I suppose. They go around in circles sometime, the idea is not to reach any destination, just the journey.

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

How much does it cost to rent such house boat for a couple of days?

It depends on the season I think, anywhere between 6K to 12K per day I suppose.

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by akroy

How was the food (cooked on coconut oil or normal sunflower oil)?

Authentic Kerala food is always cooked in Coconut Oil. I guess you could request for the use of refined vegetable oil, but then you might as well eat from a sanitized 5-star - to get the real taste it has to be cooked the way it is meant to be.

[ram_hyundai]

Good one buddie,sorry that we couldn't meet up.Blame the year ending.Nice pics and the twilight was good.The interior of the boats are also great.The rates for house boats would be between 4000-10000 for single bedroom,6000-12000 for double bedroom etc.
ram

[rjstyles69]

Samurai time and again you make me repeat the same two words " Wonderful pics" but I ain't tired of it.
Just showed my wifey this travelogue and she has also complimented you. She is all set for a house boat ride in Kerala and my pockets are gonna get lighter.

Once again kudo's to you for the well captured pics.

[Samurai]

I made a mistake, I should have risen early in the morning to catch the sunrise, but I didn’t. When I stepped out at 7AM, the sun was already high.

Our parked boat in the golden morning sun.





The paddy field on the bank.





The undisturbed water looked like a mirror.



In channels like this, it is interesting to notice the ripple spreading to the whole channel slowly in the wake of the boat.



We had idiappam and channa curry, it was just mind blowing combo, we again hogged like that was our last breakfast.

Finally we took off back to the starting point, now it was time to see some of the same places in the lovely morning light.







In between we even gave a lift to a small boat. Towing service, I think it was free.



Then there was an odd sight to behold, a wannabe sail boat.



Our kids enjoyed the trip to the hilt. Since we had the whole boat for ourselves, we didn’t have to mind the kids. Although we had to constantly monitor the young one closely whenever he was leaning over the wooden fence. For once the older one didn’t mind the absence of television or other toys.





At around 9:30AM as scheduled we finally landed back at the starting point. Our Taxi driver was waiting as expected. After that we left for Cochin Fort to see the famous Chinese fishing nets.

For 100 bucks we got a demo of the working of the fishing net, since it was low tide, we only got to see a dry run. Apparently it is a Portuguese import they brought from their Shanghai connection.



They needed some help from my son in pulling the counterweight.







After that we visited Vasco de gama’s church, they had some old stone
carvings, but no guns, remember Andaz apna apna? Then we visited the Jew Town, the synagogue and the shopping area around it. Bought couple of souvenirs, after all we were tourists. All the while I was carrying the entire dSLR gear and the baby, it started getting really tiring. The last destination was Dutch palace, looking at the steps and the baby in the arms, we just turned back. Besides, it didn’t look much like a palace. So we returned back to the hotel.

After an immensely tasteful lunch (room service), we went shopping at Bay Pride Mall. Being from a small town/village, we have very few window shopping opportunities, so we were happy just loitering around. Also got to meet Team-BHPian Trrk who had come there just to meet me. Wife got to do some saree shopping at Kalyani Silks on the way back.

Later at night I got to hook up with a few Team-BHPians, even got to ride the famous Safari to Taj Malabar restaurant for another delicious fare.

Next day morning we started back home, carrying lots of memories. This trip absolutely tops in the foodie scale. Being from the same coast, I hadn’t expected much surprise on the food front. However, every breakfast, lunch and dinner simply rocked. The breakfast buffet at Abad Plaza was fantastic and so was their room service food starting from appetizer, main course and dessert (hook, line and sinker?). The extra bed was provided both days free of cost. The taxi driver was more than helpful and very punctual all the days.
The house boat service and food (again) was fantastic.

The houseboat travel was the most peaceful trip ever, food was grrreat, kids enjoyed immensely and we too were completely content.
I think this image would summarize our feelings, especially about the houseboat trip. Also a good parting shot.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by ram_hyundai

The rates for house boats would be between 4000-10000 for single bedroom,6000-12000 for double bedroom etc.
ram

Thanks for the price, so they vary wildly.

Originally Posted by rjstyles69

She is all set for a house boat ride in Kerala and my pockets are gonna get lighter.

Thanks, glad to be of service.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

Also, we didnt really like the scenery. The water isnt really clean. It a greenish muddy kind of water.

I agree the water is greenish and probably unclean. But you didn't like the scenery, that's really surprising.

[rippergeo]

Great pics, especially the ones after the storm in the evening. brilliant.

Originally Posted by Samurai

I agree the water is greenish and probably unclean.

the water is unclean, but that is because of all the nutrients flowing down from the hill soil. all areas of the world with slow moving water and fertile surrounding areas, blessed with good sunlight will have greenish water.
the green is algae.

ofcourse, these days its more unclean than it would have been a 100 years ago because of pesticides and effluents from the local populace.
but I doubt if the appearance of the water has changed over millenia.

[spadival]

Nice and detailed travelogue. Heard that they have now started houseboat service somewhere near Udupi.

[ikoneer]

Beautiful picture samurai, would have been a great adventure for your kids. Did you all managed to have some fishing experience as well

[benbsb29]

Brings back memories of my trip, although we didnt stay on the house boat for the night. I really enjoyed that trip.

[ashthedivx]

Beautiful pictures and a Nice travelogue as well !!!


You always tempt me to do outings

[esteem_lover]

I've heard a lot about these house boats. How did your kids take it sharath ? Did they find a full day boring ? Were there any chances for fishing while in the boat ?