RCTgo

:twisted: From times immemorial, Kerala has been a centre of attraction for visitors from all over the globe. While some came for conducting trade, some others for spreading religion, a good number of them, visit this land for enjoying the beauty and splendour of this small strip of land on the southern end the Indian Sub Continent. Kerala is a land blessed with incomparable natural beauty, particularly in the remote rural areas marked by a net work of Backwaters and Rivers. No Kerala Travel is complete without a leisurely cruise in Kerala House boats, through the serenity of the back waters and lakes enjoying the Panorama of the rural Kerala. The present day House boat of Kerala is the remodelled âKettuvallam,â once used abundantly in the lakes and backwaters of Kerala as the main means of transport of Agricultural products like Paddy, Coconut and Spices in the early days. Building a Kettuvallam requires enormous labour and skill. The entire body of the Kettuvallam is made by joining planks of Jack wood or Anjili wood knitted together with coir and seal coated with special resin made from boiled cashew kernels. A portion of the Kettuvallam is separated with bamboo sticks and coir, to serve as rest room cum kitchen, where food for the crew is prepared onboard. Kettuvallam floating in the lakes and backwaters was a common sight of past Kerala. With the advent of new roads and improved transport facilities on land, Kettuvallam gave way to motor trucks for speedy transport of goods to keep pace with the increasing population. Kettuvallam became almost obsolete when a novel idea blossomed in the mind of an entrepreneur. A leisurely cruise in the enormous boat was so exciting that he thought about introducing the vessel with some modifications for the service of the tourists who opt for such trips through the calm waters. Thus the Kettuvallam floating on the waters of Kerala which would last for generations with out any deterioration was remodelled into modern House boat providing all amenities and comforts of a good hotel. However, only natural products were made use of, for construction work. Bamboo mats, sticks and Areca nut wood are used for roofing and wooden planks and coir mats are used for flooring. Shaded openings are provided on the sides of the curved roof of the Houseboats, for uninterrupted outside view from within the boat. House boats are either poled by local oarsmen or powered by motor engines. Now hundreds of House boats of various sizes and amenities are cruising in the back waters of Kerala. The biggest advantage of House Boats is that it is non polluting and environment friendly. Traditional hurricane lamps or Solar panel lamps are used for providing light in the Houseboat. Spending a moonlit night in a house boat, cruising slowly, splitting the calm waves of the Backwaters and Lagoons, is a thrilling experience for visitors. In the day time, they are obsessed with the sights of typical village life of Kerala. The enchanting experience of a Houseboat cruising in Kerala backwaters is a never eroding memory for the visitors. :woot: