[Kaise74]

Hardly a visitor to the state of Kerala returns without a trip to Alleppey (Alappuzha) the backwater town of Kerala. A trip to Kerala is never complete without indulging in a slow cruise in a traditional Kerala houseboat called Kettuvallam. What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking view of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural countryside while you float serenely by!

The Kettuvallams originally were cargo barges used to carry tons of rice and spices from Kuttanad to the Kochi port. With the introduction of railway tracks, roads and bridges and modern trucks, the ancient Kettuvallams were relegated to the past. However, these huge, slow moving, exotic barges found a new demand when they were refurbished with special rooms to accommodate vacationing travelers. From near-extinction, these houseboats began to enjoy their present great glory as luxury cruise boats of the backwaters.

The Kettuvallam or ‘boat with knots’- is held together with coir knots alone. Not a single nail is used during the construction of the boat made of specially treated wood joined together with coir. Kettuvallams are built to last and most last for generations. Many of the early reworked Kettuvallams were over 150 years old. Nowadays the houseboats have all creature comforts including furnished air-conditioned bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling.

A portion of the Kettuvallam serves as a kitchen and meals are cooked on board by a cook and supplemented with fresh fish from the backwaters. The local cuisine is rich in seafood and greatly appealing to taste.

Kerala Tourism has received a definite boost with the introduction and promotion of houseboat and backwater tourism. Native and international tourists alike enjoy the wonders of the backwater. While floating on a houseboat it is easy to imagine oneself far away from the daily demands of life and indulge in pure unadulterated joy.