Lazying in Backwaters..Far Away from the Mad Roads

Mysticeyes · 19th November 2008, 17:00

what do u do when u feel lazy, snug as a bug, and want to be away from the mad streets?where would we get some fresh air and a glorious day break?

I found the perfect way out one morning, board a houseboat..this was the starting point (resembles a parking lot?)

Off we went in our houseboat to explore the slow life in the backwaters

he set off for his bath, rowing many miles daily (rowing so much distance??? for a bath when surrounded by water on all sides? or was it an excuse to meet his girll?)

for him, the day just started

this was just a begining into the wonderful cruise with more to follow

hellstar · 19th November 2008, 18:56

Nice pictures my friend, the pictures reinforce the fact that the people living around the waterways in kuttanad areas have built a way of life and lifestyle around the water that surrounds them pretty interesting way of life...especailly involving eating dishes made out of fresh from the backwater fish called " Pearlspot" or karimeen ... oh my mouth waters at the mention of that name... everytime i passby that area i make it a point to drop in on one of the numerous toddy shaaps and have my fill or karimeen in various configurations hehheheh

Cant wait to see the rest of the pictures...

HappyWheels · 19th November 2008, 20:06

Good photos, mate!

And nice captions also!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellstar

... everytime i passby that area i make it a point to drop in on one of the numerous toddy shaaps and have my fill or karimeen in various configurations hehheheh...

Don't say this loudly, will give a valid reason for our Kerala based BHP'ians to call for a meet!

Steeroid · 19th November 2008, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

Don't say this loudly, will give a valid reason for our Kerala based BHP'ians to call for a meet!

Okay that calls for a meet. Will post a meet thread soon for the 29/30th of this month.

19th November 2008, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Okay that calls for a meet. Will post a meet thread soon for the 29/30th of this month.

Call for it! I'll be there. BTW, where is the location? looks like allepey/kuttanad area.

Steeroid · 19th November 2008, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by rippergeo

Call for it! I'll be there. BTW, where is the location? looks like allepey/kuttanad area.

Done already
Long Time No D R I V E! Calling Cochin/CBE/TVM! - Team-BHP

Mysticeyes · 19th November 2008, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellstar

especailly involving eating dishes made out of fresh from the backwater fish called " Pearlspot" or karimeen ... oh my mouth waters at the mention of that name... everytime i passby that area i make it a point to drop in on one of the numerous toddy shaaps and have my fill or karimeen in various configurations hehheheh

Cant wait to see the rest of the pictures...

pics of karimeen fry on the way,sir. i'm still in the pre-lunch session

. now now, if only mallus could stop drooling at the sight of karimeens..but then, mallus won't be mallus. i think i've a pic of 2 guys coming out from a toddy 'shaaaap' with a big bucket filled up to the brim with toddy. hats off to those gentlemen cheers:

theMAG · 19th November 2008, 23:42

That looks so peaceful in stark comparison to what I get to see daily!

HappyWheels · 20th November 2008, 07:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Done already
Long Time No D R I V E! Calling Cochin/CBE/TVM! - Team-BHP

Mysticeyes, just see what you have done! Now these guys will have a meet, drink a lot of toddy and eat a ton of those delicacies and post those photos so that the rest of the Mallu's outside Mallu Land can only see and drool!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mysticeyes

... if only mallus could stop drooling at the sight of karimeens..but then, mallus won't be mallus...

This statement itself would have got some people drooling, just the thought is enough!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mysticeyes

... i think i've a pic of 2 guys coming out from a toddy 'shaaaap' with a big bucket filled up to the brim with toddy. hats off to those gentlemen cheers:

True mallu's!

Hey Mystic, loved the second photo; a classic!

supremeBaleno · 20th November 2008, 09:36

We did this last July as a family outing and it was an out-of-the-world experience - 24 hours on a houseboat just lazing around the backwaters. We were a group of 8 adults and 4 kids and rented 2 boats. Even the sceptics among the family were astounded and wanted an encore.

Just to put it into perspective, I am quoting the conversation I overheard at the Alappuzha tourist centre (where all the boats dock - 1st pic in this travelogue) between 2 young men, in Hindi :

X : Hey, why are you so excited about these houseboats ? Have you not seen one before?
Y : I sure have seen houseboats before.

X : Then why so much excitement as if you were seeing one for the first time ?
Y : Man, I have seen houseboats in the Dal Lake in Kashmir. But these... These are just out of the world, man. They are just amazing.

So, guys do it when you get a chance.

I should have done a travelogue here, but I posted it all on my blog and was kind of lazy to repeat here - especially the snap upload part is a pain. Am thinking of giving it a shot if time permits.

Mysticeyes · 20th November 2008, 09:54

more pics on the way and let mallus be the true mallus. I got the "bucket&toddy" snap i mentioned. but i'm sorry that I can't post it without the permission of the guys. wish the seniors who are planning the get together and break the tranquility would invite lesser mortals like us too

hellstar · 20th November 2008, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mysticeyes

more pics on the way and let mallus be the true mallus. I got the "bucket&toddy" snap i mentioned. but i'm sorry that I can't post it without the permission of the guys. wish the seniors who are planning the get together and break the tranquility would invite lesser mortals like us too

Hey dude dont keep us , out of state mallus waiting for glimpses of our home state like this ...

Mysticeyes · 20th November 2008, 10:48

sighhh...the rustic life in backwaters, with life in slow motion
and sometimes in not so slow motion

soon, the paddy fields of Kuttanad turned up

it seemed like harvest time with the 'rice-boat trains' present everywhere

we saw the influence of internet on tender "COCO-NET"

a rare scene..boat from Nehru Trophy Race docked in open

the cruise continued, making us wonder how life remains so slow here even after so many visits

Mysticeyes · 20th November 2008, 11:37

the voyage passed through 6-block, kainakary, kavalam etc..the experience is too good to be described. this was my 4th journey in 6 years. yet, some new feeling comes up everytime.

saw some shrewd 'mobile salesmen' on the route, selling priivisions nd bar soaps

double decked houseboat, the latest fad in crusing and corporate board meetings

wondered if we could spend some time at this idlyic resort cum spa

soon it was time for a major activity-LUNCH

Steeroid · 20th November 2008, 11:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mysticeyes

. wish the seniors who are planning the get together and break the tranquility would invite lesser mortals like us too

Err...you dont need an invite to join us - an open meet thread is usually posted and anyone can join in from there.

However in your case, I've even forwarded a PM containing a link to the meet thread LAST EVENING - please check your inbox.

Dont be shy - because we most certainly arent!

19th November 2008, 17:00	#1
Mysticeyes BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 396 Thanked: 748 Times	Lazying in Backwaters..Far Away from the Mad Roads what do u do when u feel lazy, snug as a bug, and want to be away from the mad streets?where would we get some fresh air and a glorious day break? I found the perfect way out one morning, board a houseboat..this was the starting point (resembles a parking lot?) Off we went in our houseboat to explore the slow life in the backwaters he set off for his bath, rowing many miles daily (rowing so much distance??? for a bath when surrounded by water on all sides? or was it an excuse to meet his girll?) for him, the day just started this was just a begining into the wonderful cruise with more to follow Last edited by Mysticeyes : 19th November 2008 at 17:11.
	() Thanks

19th November 2008, 18:56	#2
hellstar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,072 Thanked: 44 Times	Nice pictures my friend, the pictures reinforce the fact that the people living around the waterways in kuttanad areas have built a way of life and lifestyle around the water that surrounds them pretty interesting way of life...especailly involving eating dishes made out of fresh from the backwater fish called " Pearlspot" or karimeen ... oh my mouth waters at the mention of that name... everytime i passby that area i make it a point to drop in on one of the numerous toddy shaaps and have my fill or karimeen in various configurations hehheheh Cant wait to see the rest of the pictures... Last edited by hellstar : 19th November 2008 at 18:59.
	() Thanks

19th November 2008, 23:42	#8
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	That looks so peaceful in stark comparison to what I get to see daily!
	() Thanks

20th November 2008, 09:36	#10
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,546 Thanked: 2,698 Times View My Garage	We did this last July as a family outing and it was an out-of-the-world experience - 24 hours on a houseboat just lazing around the backwaters. We were a group of 8 adults and 4 kids and rented 2 boats. Even the sceptics among the family were astounded and wanted an encore. Just to put it into perspective, I am quoting the conversation I overheard at the Alappuzha tourist centre (where all the boats dock - 1st pic in this travelogue) between 2 young men, in Hindi : X : Hey, why are you so excited about these houseboats ? Have you not seen one before? Y : I sure have seen houseboats before. X : Then why so much excitement as if you were seeing one for the first time ? Y : Man, I have seen houseboats in the Dal Lake in Kashmir. But these... These are just out of the world, man. They are just amazing. So, guys do it when you get a chance. I should have done a travelogue here, but I posted it all on my blog and was kind of lazy to repeat here - especially the snap upload part is a pain. Am thinking of giving it a shot if time permits.
	() Thanks

20th November 2008, 09:54	#11
Mysticeyes BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 396 Thanked: 748 Times	more pics on the way and let mallus be the true mallus. I got the "bucket&toddy" snap i mentioned. but i'm sorry that I can't post it without the permission of the guys. wish the seniors who are planning the get together and break the tranquility would invite lesser mortals like us too
	() Thanks

20th November 2008, 10:48	#13
Mysticeyes BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 396 Thanked: 748 Times	into the cruise sighhh...the rustic life in backwaters, with life in slow motion and sometimes in not so slow motion soon, the paddy fields of Kuttanad turned up it seemed like harvest time with the 'rice-boat trains' present everywhere we saw the influence of internet on tender "COCO-NET" a rare scene..boat from Nehru Trophy Race docked in open the cruise continued, making us wonder how life remains so slow here even after so many visits
	() Thanks

20th November 2008, 11:37	#14
Mysticeyes BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 396 Thanked: 748 Times	into the cruise, continued.. the voyage passed through 6-block, kainakary, kavalam etc..the experience is too good to be described. this was my 4th journey in 6 years. yet, some new feeling comes up everytime. saw some shrewd 'mobile salesmen' on the route, selling priivisions nd bar soaps double decked houseboat, the latest fad in crusing and corporate board meetings wondered if we could spend some time at this idlyic resort cum spa soon it was time for a major activity-LUNCH
	() Thanks