India (South) 10: Backwaters of Alleppey

Alleppey is a gateway to the famous backwaters of Kerala and it is described as ‘almost Venice-like’. We took a 2-hr boat cruise, weaving through the canals and the ‘water-highway’. Palm trees line many of the canal / river banks, and beyond, are the many rice fields. As we sat around enjoying and absorbing in the serene and beautiful surrounding, we saw many of the locals busily washing their clothes, brushing teeth; some were seen fishing while others were happily going about their other daily chores.

Alleppey is also famous for its houseboats. While on the cruise, we saw many of these houseboats passing by, and we could see that the tourists were enjoying themselves over a cuppa on the ‘patio’. We could only look at them with ‘envy’. Much as we would like to stay on one for a night, unfortunately the ‘high price’ put us away. It cost about Rs 8,500 to 9,000 (RM 650.00 to 700.00) a night for four pax (inclusive of food).

The Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race, which is held on second Saturday of August each year, is also held in Alleppey. The boat is 30m long and is crewed by 100 rowers singing in unison. Being there in January, needless to say, we did not get to witness it.