Down to the Kerala Backwaters

Up to a nice breakfast, then we were off through the Western Ghats (mountains) passing spice, rubber and tea plantations as we drove.

We eventually weaved our way down to the lowlands, ending up in the Kerala Backwaters.

Other than the classic tropical island, this is probably many people's idea of paradise. It is lush, watery, tropical and very laid back - the following description copied from the internet:

Kerala - a long strip of enchanting land tucked away in the west corner of India. And what makes it so enchanting is its exquisite network of canals, lakes, lagoons and estuaries - the Backwaters. A trip to Kerala is incomplete without a cruise in its backwaters, which are formed when the sea water gets accumulated at the beach due to the to and fro movement of the Sea. Playing an important role in the tourism of Kerala, the Kerala Backwaters have become one of the 50 must see places in the world.

Not to be missed, these cruises leave you refreshed and rejuvenated. The banks of these rivers are ideal for picnic spots. The canals are adorned with lilies and other beautiful flowers. The lagoons with their clear waters attract many migratory birds as well as wildlife.You can experience the native way of living and their unique way of fishing. See the women, neck deep in water and their hair heaped up on their head like a crown, search for fish with their toes. When they locate them, they submerge and grab them by their tails or a line of men swim abreast stretching a net.

We arrived at the house of another friend of Issac's - Matthew (does Issac know every Christian in South India???). We took a boat across the waterway to the guesthouse, and heard that one of Bollywood's most famous stars was having lunch in the same compound.


























Matthew's mother, Anna, cooked us an amazing Kerala style lunch. Spicy fish, a special local rice, red spinach curry, papadums, chinese potatoes, mixed spicy vegetables and tomato/onion/chili salad. Sweet banana lassi removed the fire from our mouths - flavoured with cardamom and vanillla.















We all took siestas during the heat of the early afternoon, then up for chai and cookies on the lanai, watching the houseboats cruise by.

At 5:00, Matthew led us on a walk, telling us all kinds of information about the backwaters, it's people and traditions. We crossed lush ricefields at sunset, and caught a canoe to paddle through the calm waters as darkness fell.

Paddling in the darkness, Matthew and the 2 other locals on the boat started singing traditional folksongs. Back at the homestay, we enjoyed a candlelit dinner (thanks to rotating power cuts) of traditional home cooked Kerala food.

I have said it before but... does travel get any better than this?














Sunset on the Kerala Backwaters