An Experience in Tranquility
Text: Keerthy Ramachandran
Photographs: Gokul Ramachandran
Ever wished to cut yourself away from the maddening hustle of the city life, only to immerse in some silly joyful acts and make you feel one with nature? If you are going through that phase of life when you feel it’s time to put your feet up and aimlessly glare at the nature’s bounty to see hours pass by, it is time to pack your bags and leave for Kuttanad! Tranquility is the best therapy of the mind. What can be more heartwarming than waking up to the sound of chirping birds and opening your eyes to endless greenery surrounded by mirror still lagoons... Coming holiday season, treat your senses with an ethereal experience by indulging in a ‘Kettuvallam’ (houseboat) stay in the serene waters of the Venice of the east,Alappuzha, in Kerala.
The Kettuvellam
Kettuvallams were the country boats used in olden times to transport perishable commodities like rice and pulses to the interior villages surrounding backwaters. As roads and other infrastructure developed in time, Kettuvallams were transformed to a luxury transport for the tourists to enjoy the mesmerising beauty of backwaters. These boats are constructed by tying coir ropes together to wooden planks and hence the name kettuvallam (‘kettu’ refers to tie and ‘vallam’ means boat). With close to a thousand kettuvellams plying in the backwaters of Kerala, these have today emerged to be the mascot of Kerala Tourism.
Kuttanad
While many other towns of Kerala offer houseboat experience in backwaters (Ashtamudi lake in Kollam,
Kumbalangi backwaters near Kochi, Alumkadavu backwaters in Karunagappally etc), Alappuzha is considered to be the headquarters of kettuvallams. Kuttanad is a small village in Alappuzha, historically
celebrated as a major rice producer in the state. The breathtaking expanses of paddy fields, palm fringed
narrow canals around the quietly flowing lagoons lend a paradisiacal charm to Kuttanad. It is one of the
very few places in the world where cultivation is done around 4 to 10 ft below the sea level!
Inside a Kettuvellam
Intricately designed with wooden furnishing and modern amenities, most of these kettuvellams are nothing less than star hotels on water! In contrastto shikkaras of Kashmir, the interiors of these boats
stand out for its simplicity and elegance, truly representing the finesse of Kerala’s architecture. These
are well-maintained with spacious bath-attached bedrooms, living rooms and a fully-functional kitchen. The premium ones offer large sun-bath decks, fully-centralized indoors and a horde of customized
features, provided on request. The boats offer in house facilities like television, refrigerators, high speed internet connectivity (premier options) including live entertainment shows ( Mohiniyattam and Kathakali performances). Along with the scintillating visuals to devour, these boats also present flavourful gastronomic experiences on board through their all-meals package which includes breakfast, lunch,
hi-tea and dinner and not to forget round-the clock availability of fresh tender coconuts offering ‘anytime refreshing sips’. All licensed houseboats are equipped with enough safety gears along with a well-trained crew to handle any emergencies. Each houseboat is managed by a group of minimum 3 staff including the captain of the boat, a manager/guide and a chef.
Culinary Offerings
Gastronomic delight goes a long way in making every holiday a great experience. The star attraction of houseboat stays at Kuttanad is definitely the freshly prepared delicacies, served in plantain leaves and rustic ceramic ware by the local chefs. While many say it is futile to travel to Kuttanad if you are allergic to seafood, on placing food preferences prior, the chefs serve a drool-worthy range of vegetarian fare. Fresh prawns, seer fish, pearl spot, duck and chicken prepared with Kuttanad’s favourite spices will make you fall in love with this land, that you will want to visit here more often. Karimeen pollichathu, duck roast, pepper chicken and coconut infused prawns are the must-haves for non-vegetarians while the regional specialties like kappa puzhungiyathu (boiled tapioca), mezhukkuvaratty (roasted veggies), banana fritters and payasam (dessert) can delight the vegetarians.
Add Health to Give a Twist
If you are traveling during monsoons, make the most of your houseboat experience by adding a spa package to it. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), a government of Kerala under taking, offers Summer Splash package to tourists who want to reap the best out of houseboat trips. These
packages offer Ayurvedic spa treatments in resorts followed by houseboat experience. Treatments like Njavarakizhi (used to treat neurological diseases by applying oil made from rice bran) and Elakizhi (leaf bundle massage done to improve strength of the muscles and relieving body pain) are offered to tourists. If you are opting for spa treatments from other providers, make sure you visit the certified centres only.
The Low Points
Make sure you carry mosquito repellants, especially while traveling with infants. House-boating during
monsoon need not be that pleasant since the waters could get murky. Not all houseboats provide you
with a great experience, so make sure you do enough research prior and choose the popular options with good reviews, don’t forget to look at the inside pictures.
Best Time to Visit
Winters are considered to be the peak season in Alappuzha for houseboat experiences. Make sure you
make reservations much ahead to get good deals. November to February is deemed ideal for enjoying the backwaters. March to May is considered off-season in Kerala considering the scorching heat of summer, however, if you wear light cotton clothes and chose air-conditioned houseboats, you can still have a pleasant experience. To enjoy the rain-washed glory of the hamlets of Alappuzha, June to septmber is good but many houseboats stay off the waters during this time.
Cost Options and Packages
Depending on the size, features and facilities on offer, the prices of stay packages can vary. On an average, stay for a couple and a child below 5 years in a one bedroom premium houseboat with air conditioning and wi-fi facilities cost Rs 12,000,including food. Most rates are subject to change as per season and availability. Luxury stay options like the one offered by Oberoi Hotels and Resorts can come up to Rs 1 lakh plus taxes. It is best to choose day cruise and overnight stay packages for minimum 2 nights and 3 days in order to get a complete experience of Kuttanad.
How to Reach & Other Attractions
Kuttanad is 2 hours away from Kochi on road.Other than the houseboat experience, Kuttanad has attractions like Basilica of St Mary, Champakulam,Chakkulathukavu Temple, St Mary Forane Church etc. Alappuzha is known for the annual Nehru boat race conducted on the second Saturday of August every year, when thousands of tourists and boating enthusiasts travel from far and wide to see the racing competition participated by hundreds of oarsmen on their snake-boats.Kuttanad offers a once in a lifetime experience to any traveler. Plan your holiday well and carry back one of the most memorable leaflets of your life from Alappuzha.