Houseboat Memories from Alappuzha. Dr. Joshy K T
Often called the Venice of the East, Alappuzha is Kerala’s shimmering jewel, famous for its sprawling network of canals and, of course, its iconic houseboats. With thousands of these house boats; floating marvels gliding through the interconnected waterways, Alappuzha offers a great backwater experience. The boat we hired was Royal Caribbian, a 14 bedroom house boat in Alapuzha back waters. Our journey began late in the morning, around 11:30 am. With a warm welcome drink, we boarded the houseboat. After a brief round of introductions and fun ice-breaking events, the mood quickly turned. It was one of the participants birthday and it was celebrated with cake cutting followed by songs, dances, and laughter echoing over the gentle waters. The cruise took us deep into the heart of Kuttanad; a land of emerald paddy fields, swaying coconut groves, and tranquil villages. Along the way, we waved at fellow travelers on neighboring houseboats and watched speedboats zip past, adding a touch of ex...