Kerala Houseboats
Further inland when one goes into the interiors of this state there are more
and endless miles of placid Kerala backwaters, flanked on either side by a towering
palm tress. These meandering freshwaters are all mainly concentrated around
the townships of Alleppey, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Quilon and Cochin.
These waterways or better known as backwaters are best traveled in thatched
roof houseboats called kettuvallam or in a sleek darting local snake boat.
These houseboats of today are very huge which move slowly and stealthily across
the clean blue water of the Arabian sea .The original Kettuvalloms were used
to carry tonnes of rice and spices - a standard Kettuvallom can hold up to 30
tonnes - from Kuttanad to the Kochi port. This was regarded as a mode of transport
to do trade and commerce but now these are compared with the luxurious five
star hotels in the city.
The houseboats have all the comforts of a luxury hotel including furnished bedrooms,
modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling.
Parts of the curved roof are made in such way that they cover the front in case
of the shade is required for the residing members in the houseboats.
And something that is magical and mystical is the breathtaking view of the untouched
and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers - while you cruise the
backwaters and also experience the culture and tradition that the locales of
that region follow. These houseboats however provide more or less the same kind
of luxury that they provide and they have an extra edge over these hotels because
of the natural ambience that they provide.
The Kettuvallam or 'boat with knots'- was so called because the entire boat
was held together with coir knots only made from the tough fiber of the coconut-
not even a single nail is used during the construction.
This is was a unique thing as the craftsman ship was excellent and also a very
unique kind of work reflected in the boat that traversed through the wading
waters. The boat is made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir. This
is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels.
A portion of the Kettuvallom was covered with bamboo and coir to serve as
a restroom and kitchen for the crew. Meals would be cooked on board and supplemented
with fresh fish from the backwaters that were caught by the fishermen of those
areas. Today, the tradition is still continued and the food from the local
cuisine is served by the Kuttanad localities, on board.
This was one of the masterminds of the administration to start of the cruises
in these houseboats when the transport system was taken over by more modern
ones like the trucks. Relax in style, in the beautifully furnished living
room as cool breeze wafts in through the awning. And if you can keep your
eyes off the enchanting view that Kerala has to offer you , then there are
also other facilities like VCD, TV. And Music system - a special service that
is exclusive to Rainbow Cruises
Facilities:
- Beautifully furnished living room.
- VCD, T.V. and music system
- Chef with option of continental, Chinese or Indian delicacies.
- AC and Non AC Houseboats versions come with an attached bathroom.
- Kitchen equipped with an array of gadgets and a variety of ingredients.
- Spacious bathroom Running water, all through the trip. Sparkling clean fittings
and tiles. And an eco-friendly method waste disposal.
- Luxurious twin beds, a table and chair, storage space, and even a mosquito
net, are at your disposal.
TYPES OF HOUSEBOATS
The houseboats of Kerala or the Kettuvallams are the main highlights of the
backwaters of Kerala. Touring the backwaters in a houseboat is definitely a
breathtaking experience. Seeing the beautiful country scenery just from the
deck of the houseboats scintillates your senses makes you feel you are in heaven
and a paradise of your own. and why wouldn’t it, after all, Kerala is called
“God’s own country”.
To give you the best vacation of your lifetime, the houseboats have been
constructed to provide you with all comforts almost at par with the luxuries
that one would find in any five star luxurious hotels. To cater to the different
requirements of the tourists, there are houseboats with different features.
One Bedded Accommodation:
There are houseboats having one bedroom with attached bathroom and a living
cum dining room. This fulfils the requirements of a couple who need some privacy
and will enjoy a cozy kind of atmosphere. The living cum dining room in this
houseboat is bigger. It also has a sundeck for you to relax and sunbathe in
the warm Kerala weather. There is a separate kitchen, where delicious Kerala
Cuisine is prepared for your palate.
This is the perfect holidaying spree that one can look forward to and especially
couples who will be going on for their honeymoons. You will also get the opportunity
to stop the houseboat anyplace you like to take photographs.
Two Bedded Accommodation:
To accommodate four people, there are houseboats with two bedrooms. Each bedroom
has an attached bath. A living cum dining room, a sun deck and a separate
balcony is the other features of these houseboats. There is separate accommodation
for the crew.
Tempting vapors of delicious Kerala cuisine, originating from the separate
kitchen whet your appetite as you sail along.
So if you are tired of traveling by cars and buses in the city and want to
take a break and travel into paradise on earth then pack your bags and come
over to Kerala and traverse the backwaters through these Houseboats.
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