| The Kerala backwaters are a chain of | | | | painted with protective coats of cashew |
| brackish lagoons and lakes lying | | | | nut oil. |
| parallel to the Arabian Sea. The network | | | | Unbelievable as it may sound, not a |
| includes five large lakes linked by | | | | single nail is used in the making of a |
| canals, both manmade and natural, fed by | | | | Kettuvallam. Jack wood planks are joined |
| 38 rivers, and extending virtually half | | | | together with coir rope and then coated |
| the length of Kerala state. The | | | | with black resin made from boiled cashew |
| backwaters were formed by the action of | | | | nut shells. The materials that go into |
| waves and shore currents creating low | | | | the making are all local and Eco |
| barrier islands across the mouths of the | | | | friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber |
| many rivers flowing down from the | | | | ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. |
| Western Ghats range. | | | | These traditional country boats were |
| Kerala has over 900 km of interconnected | | | | used as the mode of transport in the |
| waterways, rivers, lakes and inlets that | | | | early times from the isolated interior |
| make up the Kerala backwaters. The | | | | villages to the towns. |
| backwaters have a unique ecosystem - | | | | But these boat services have been laid |
| freshwater from the rivers meets the | | | | off with the developments taken place in |
| seawater from the Arabian Sea. | | | | the transport services in the recent |
| There is a different Kerala along this | | | | past. Today these giant 80-foot |
| Backwaters Tourism. Throbbing with its | | | | watercrafts have been adapted into |
| unique culture. The routes along this | | | | luxuriously furnished houseboats. |
| Backwaters Tourism are always | | | | A Kettuvallam usually has one or two |
| breath-taking green, the skyline | | | | bath attached rooms, an open lounge, |
| vanishing with a line of coconut trees | | | | deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising |
| on the banks and a lot of other | | | | two oarsmen and a cook. Traditional |
| attractions. | | | | lanterns are used as lights. Your |
| House Boats of Kerala | | | | holiday in this tranquil world is the |
| The popularity of Kettuvalloms has | | | | comfortably furnished houseboats. Come, |
| returned in the function as major | | | | check into a houseboat for a memorable |
| tourist attractions. Many find the | | | | cruise along the backwaters of Kerala. |
| Kettuvallom an ideal means of exploring | | | | The Hindu wrote, "A cruise along the |
| the beauty of the Kerala backwaters. | | | | mirror-still lagoons, picture-book |
| The houseboats in Kerala, south India, | | | | lakeside, palm-fringed canals and |
| are huge, slow-moving, exotic barges | | | | shimmering rivulets of `God's Own |
| used for leisure trips. They are a | | | | Country' is the most enchanting |
| reworked model of Kettuvallams (in the | | | | holidaying experience in the country. |
| Malayalam language, Kettu means "tied | | | | With a cruise along the palm-fringed |
| with ropes", and vallam means "boat"), | | | | waterways turning to be part and parcel |
| which, in earlier times, were used to | | | | of holidayers' itinerary, the |
| carry rice and spices from Kuttanad to | | | | traditional kettuvallam has emerged as |
| the Kochi port. Kerala houseboats were | | | | the mascot of Kerala Tourism." |
| considered a convenient means of | | | | Kerala has a wide variety of options for |
| transportation. | | | | backwater tourism and the house boats |
| Such a houseboat is about 60 to 70 feet | | | | are available in various ranges and the |
| (about 18 to 21 meters) long and about | | | | ac and non-ac options are also |
| 15 feet (about 5 m) wide at the middle. | | | | available. Coconut Lagoon Kumarakom, |
| The hull is made of wooden planks that | | | | Kumarakom Lake Resort, Whispering Palms |
| are held together by ropes of coconut | | | | Lake, Taj Malabar Cochin and Taj |
| fiber; the usual wood is 'Anjili'. The | | | | Residency Cochin are some of the Kerala |
| roof is made of bamboo poles and palm | | | | backwater resorts. |
| leaves. The exterior of the boat is | | | | |