We have an early breakfast and go to the bus station, take a bus to Alappuzha and visit the famous Backwaters. It is one of the biggest attractions of the Kerala region, and it is not for less. It is a labyrinth composed by hundreds of channels that communicate five big lakes, in which spices and coconut trees join with the Arabian Sea.
Alappuzha
Alappuzha canals
Alappuzha (Allepey) is a small town that serves as the entrance to the Backwaters. We asked about the Ashram of the woman who gives hugs, but it is closed since she is out, we are out of season.
Women washing clothes
The cheapest option is to visit the Backwaters by public ferry from Alleppey to Kotallam for 37 rupees, but by the time we arrived it was already out, so we rented a simple boat with a small roof. It has upholstered wooden chairs and cushions all over the deck so you can lie down.
Backwaters
Life in the canals
Life in the canals
Woman washing clothes
Backwaters
Many people rent huge braided reed boats with room for a few days (Kettuvallams). We go along the main channel, you can breathe in peace and quiet. The in their houses doing their life, washing the clothes, cleaning themselves, preparing the food... We feel a little invaded by their intimacy.
Canals
Woman washing
Women walking
Kettuvallam
The locals use the boats as a means of transport, there are private ones and others that function as buses. You have to be careful with mosquitoes and don't forget the repellent, although you also have to be careful with fleas and bedbugs (especially on buses).
Canals
Life in canals
Canals
Girl in a boat
The landscape is very green, with palm trees, coconut trees, spice plantations and rice fields. We stop at a restaurant and eat.
They are catching crabs but we don't taste them. The food in this area consists of rice with chicken or vegetables, sometimes they have local fish. All of a sudden a bunch of kids dressed in uniforms get out of a boat and come back from school.
Woman waiting
Coming back from school
Coming back from school
A man with a huge eagle approaches, asking us if we want to put it on our shoulder.
Kettuvallam
We go back to the bus station to take another bus to Varkala, once there we take a rickshaw to our accommodation the Santa Klaus Guest House, it has Christmas decoration and a swimming pool (not operational). It is low season.
The temperature is very good although it rains more often. The location of the accommodation is very good in front of the cliffs and near the beach.
Bus ticket from Ernakulam to Alappuzha: 352 rupees 4 pax.
Bus ticket from Alappuzha to Kallambalam: 440 rupees 4 pax.
Boat in Backwaters: 1,600 rupees 4 pax.
Accommodation: Santa Klaus Guest House 500 rupees double room with bathroom. (has swimming pool)
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