A boat cruise along the palm fringed waterways in a plush ‘Ketuvallom’ or houseboat sounded like an enchanting holiday and I wanted to book a house boat for my coming visit to the Kerala backwaters.
I was advised by my friends that if I really wanted to see the beauty of the backwaters it was not such a good idea to stay in the houseboat. It was best to rent a small comfortable boat for the day with a local guide to enjoy the incredible beauty and also live the real life on the backwaters.

We reached Alleppey late in the evening by train and checked into Hotel Royale Park. After breakfast we checked-out from the hotel and rented a quaint small houseboat for the whole day. From the time I stepped on the boat, I felt like royalty. The staff was very courteous and the food they offered us was just amazing. I am very fond of sea food and the fresh prawns cooked in traditional Kerala style were scrumptious. It was a fascinating world of small and simple pleasures as we moved past old fishing nets, coconut groves, water lilies, fertile paddy fields, temples, coir villages and quaint rustic homes. In fact this tour was just unforgettable and gave us an opportunity to witness Kerala backwaters at its best and I can say was a magical experience.

The whole feeling of floating on the lake with people around you going on with their daily routine is amazing. I saw a dispensary, floating supermarket, speedboat ambulance as well as kids going to school on boats. You will be surprised how people have adapted the lake as a part of their daily life.
I have visited Venice, which is also one of my favourite destinations, but here everything looks more natural.

Even though the full day experience cost us Rupees 6000, the day was just phenomenal!