A vacation to Kerala is best enjoyed when on a houseboat. You can simply have all the time to laze
around, eat sumptuous food and take in the scenic beauty around you. Cruising along the waterways
and exploring the interconnected lakes will give you a glimpse of the huge biodiverse animals thriving
in this region.

The houseboats are called as Kettuvallams. On an average, there are about 2000 Kettuvallams cruising
the backwaters of Kerala. These boats were originally used to transport supplies before the advent of
good interconnected roads in this state. With modern trucks replacing them, these were turned out into
vacation boats as they were suitable for converting into homes.

I remember my first trip to Kerala was spent cruising the backwaters for three days. Those were the
most serene days spent in watching the nature up close. Time seemed to have slowed down in the God's
own country. On the boat, the day is spent touring while at night it is moored after which the dinner is
served. The crew consists of a master chef who dishes out authentic local food with fish and rice to
perfection.

The modern amenities like TV, western toilet, and an equipped kitchen will give you a star hotel feel.
The luxury grade of a boat is measured in gold, silver and bronze titles. You also get to get a glimpse of
the lifestyle of the locals there, as the small towns and villages are interconnected via the waterways.
You can either arrange your trip online or go down to Alleppy and choose your houseboat.