 A Cruise along the palm
fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat or ketuvallom is the
most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In this world of simple
pleasures, you'll skim past ancient chinese fishing nets, water lillies, lush
paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut
groves.Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries, and te deltas of
forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala. The backwatrs
mainly covers the four districts of the state - Kollam, Alleppey (alappuzha),
Kottayam and Kochi ( Cochin ).The largest backwater body, the Vembanad lake
flows through Alleppey (Alappuzha) and Kottayam districts and opens out into the
sea at the Kochi (Cochin) Port. The Ashtamudi Lake, the second largest backwater
stretch, offers the longest ride and is considered the gateway to the
backwaters.
Your holiday home in this tranquil world is the comfortably
furnished houseboat or ketuvallom.The Houseboats or Kettuvalloms of
Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 foot in length, retrieved
from being lost to the State altogether.Once these Rice Barges ruled the
backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with rice, coconut and
other commodities. But in the recent times, the ketuvalloms or houseboats have
been replaced by more and modern modes of transport, relegating them to neglect
and decay.It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct these giant
Houseboats or Kettuvaloms.
Traditionally, the Houseboats was called Kettuvallam, which
means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievably it may sound,
not a single nail is used in the making of a ketuvallam. Jackwood planks are
joiined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from
boiled cashewnut shells.There used to be an entire clan of artisans who were
involved in kettuvallom or houseboat construction. Today, an innovative holiday
idea has restored these majestic representatives of a unique culture and with
them their makers.The Kerala houseboats that cruise these emerald waterways are
an improvisation on the large country barges which were an essential part of the
land's ethos in days gone by.Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the
kettuvalloms or houseboats are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or
two bath attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly,
merging smoothly into the panorama. Every houseboat is manned by a crew -
usually a cook, a Captain, and an Oarsman.
The kitchen in the houseboat or ketuvallam is the
production center of the best traditional Kerala food. The availability of
fishes and all along the backwater add special charm to the authentic Kerala
cooking. Only fresh materials are used and purchased locally to support the
economy of the village. Only authentic Kerala food is prepared under high
standards of hygiene and professional competency by expert cooks, who have been
specially trained.The highest classifications awarded by Dept. of Tourism for
Houseboats are Gold Star and Silver Star. All the Houseboats dealt by us are
either Silver Star or Gold Star.The Luxury A/c Houseboat offered by us includes
the following facilities :Front living area and bedrooms have a beautiful wooden
ceiling with overlapping logs to give it a contemporary feel.
The wooden ceiling in the living/dining area has 200
fiber optic lighting points to emulate the stars during the night and gives a
cozy feeling. The light intensity or ‘glow’ can be adjusted according to guest
preferences.Additional lighting in the living area of the Luxury A/c Houseboat
will be provided with terracotta lamps with candles to provide an ideal,
romantic setting for the boat.The bedrooms of the Luxury A/c Houseboat have
complete glass windows stretching across 3/4ths of the wall to offer the guests
a complete and uninterrupted view of the backwaters while traveling.Each bed in
the Luxury A/c Houseboat is located at the exact height of the window, so the
guest gets a good view even while lying on the bed.Each room in the Luxury A/c
Houseboat has a dressing mirror, luggage compartment, writing table, wardrobe,
attached bathrooms and air-conditioning.Bathrooms in the Luxury A/c Kettuvallams
have a shower area with WC and wash basin and are one of the largest, if not the
largest on any boat. All fittings are of high quality.
The wall next to the WC has a large picture window that
offers the guest an ample view of the backwaters, similar to the one in the
bedroom and it also offers a feeling of space and ample natural lighting.The
exterior walls, i.e. the textured finished walls in the dining/living area and
pathway have niches incorporated in them. These niches have paintings that
follow a theme on each Luxury A/c Houseboat. The kitchen, at the rear of the
boat, is complete with a modern equipment and ambience, even though it is for
use for the staff only. A 165 lt. fridge is also part of the equipment level.
Even guests can use the kitchen facility for themselves if they so choose.Every
toilet is equipped with shower areas and water heaters. Each room is
Air-conditioned using proper split units & Lifesavers and safety jackets are
available on board.Onboard game activities include - Chess, Caroms, Scrabble,
Playing cards etc. Fishing rods, painting and sketch pads, Library & High-End
music system.Come, check into our House boat for the most amazing experience of
your life. "Houseboats
Packages with Kerala Tourism" |
