Alleppey, Kerala, India
Monday, August 11, 2014
We woke up to rain.
Lots and lots of rain!
In fact it had been raining all night and everywhere was muddy and covered in water.
Typical. The one day we planned to go on a boat trip. Still not to be deterred we checked out of our guesthouse and set of in a tuk tuk to the jetty where all the boats were moored.
We had to get down this very very rutty, bumpy, puddly, muddy, dirty lane. But when we got to the end luckily our boat was the first one and we jumped aboard. We were soaked!
life on the river
We were greeted by our captain Praveen and the cook Matthews. We had met the already when we came to check out the boat before booking.
The boat is a typical Keralan houseboat. It has one bedroom, a bathroom, a dining area which can be closed off from flying midges, a lounging area at the front, a kitchen and staff toilet at the back and becoz we is posh, we have a balcony above the lounge area too. Also great for lounging in (or nodding off in if your name is Bryan)
We were greeted with our welcome drink of fresh lime juice in water. Something we have enjoyed whilst we have been in India and must remember to make when we get home.
Then we set sail - actually they just started the motor - and we were off at last!
We set off up the backwater channels and spent the day just watching the world go by. After an hour or so the rain had fizzled out and it was a lovely day. Not cold at all.
our house Boat
it was just lovely - watching the world go by without a care in the world. Our Chef got on with the task of cooking lunch and diner in addition to snacks and cups of tea throughout the day so we didn't even have to feed ourselves. Bliss.
The food was delicious and all homemade on the boat. We even had to stop for ingredients at a little shop on the river.
In the evening we brought out the rum. Alcohol is the only thing they don't provide as India Alcohol Licenses are quite tough to obtain and tightly controlled. After dinner we invited them to sit with us and have a drink with us. They seemed a bit reluctant at first as i don't think it is common practice for them to mix with the guests.
However, one glass of rum and coke and they had loosened up a bit!
Bryan has brought a speaker with him so we were playing western music on it. They really like Michael Jackson but didn't know who Elvis was. Surprise of the evening was how much they liked Smokie
relaxed
. Does anyone remember them???
All in all we had had a really wonderful time and would have spent en extra couple of days doing it if we could have afforded it (about £65 a night all inclusive).
We highly recommend this if you ever come to this part of India.
Breakfast was at 8am and then just a short trip back to the moorings where Saji our tuk tuk driver was waiting patiently for us.
Reality check now and a stark contrast of accommodation tonight - Indian Sleeper Train. Oh No!
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