When you think of houseboats you think of the
backwaters that are so famous in Kerala isn’t it? Yes that’s is the
first thing that comes into the mind of any visitor visiting Kerala for the
first time and the major attraction being the backwaters and the stay at the
houseboat. These houseboats as they say were used as the transport for the trade
and commerce that took place in the times of the Britishers rule, but after
that the modern day transport system replaced it and the houseboats became the
tourist thing that attracted millions every year giving Kerala tourism a boom
in its revenue.
Traditionally, the houseboat was called Kettuvallam, which means a boat made
by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievable as it may sound, not a single
nail is used in the making of a Kettuvallam.That is the mastery of the craftsman
there. Jack wood planks are joined together with coir rope and then coated with
black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells. The materials that go into the
making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo
mats, coir carpets etc These traditional country boats were used as the mode
of transport in the early times from the isolated interior villages to the towns.
A Kettuvallam usually has one or two bath attached rooms, an open lounge, deck,
kitchenette and a crew comprising two oarsmen and a cook. Traditional lanterns
are used as lights. These boats are very well furnished and the proper arrangements
are there in order to give you the maximum comfort.
This is the most thrilling holiday experience that every traveler wants, who
wants to enjoy every bit of the holiday in these tranquil surroundings amidst
the blue waters of these backwaters. While slowly moving around in the houseboat
one can see the ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields,
coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. A guided tour down
the backwaters would provide you with a complete and most enchanting experience
on the back waters of Kerala and will also reveal to you some interesting facts
about the life of local village people. These backwaters are a livelihood for
some of the localities here who thong the banks of these water spaces and live
here from the very beginning.
It takes great skill and meticulousness to construct these giant Houseboats
by tying huge planks of jack wood together. Today in the hustle and bustles
of life that many of us lead in the cities we hardly find time for ourselves
and a holiday becomes a necessity to come over those stress and strain that
we carry as our luggage day in and day out.
Houseboat Tours
House boats of Kerala Reservation Form
