I was lucky to witness the amazing boat race. Hundreds of men and women had gathered & lot of excitement had built up. I also decided to be a part of the cheering crowd. The referees, dressed in white sailor uniforms, were rushing around in a boat, whistling furiously. Each race was somehow different from the other and all the people gathered, were cheering up the various teams. This boat race infused a burst of energy in me and I thoroughly enjoyed the maddening crowd of Alappuzha.
Kumarakom Backwaters :
Kumarakom Backwaters was like a small water world and a favorite haunt of migratory birds. I saw some of the most amazing birds like cuckoo, wild duck, Siberian stork etc. and also enjoyed fishing in the waters. I witnessed one of the strangest dance forms, where the dancers, were giving peculiar expressions and gestures, with their faces painted with various bright colors.
Later, I found that the name of this dance form was Kathakali. Kumarakom Backwaters is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves along with waterways and canals filled with white lilies. I took a few pictures and the boat headed on.
Quilon Backwaters :
Every moment of this trip was incredible! Quilon has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in traditional style. Simple activities like eating in small restaurants on the banks, while watching flocks of graceful ducks, meeting women selling tender coconuts in small boats and the heady fragrance of rich green paddy fields offer unique pleasures of life.
Cochin Backwaters : A cluster of picture perfect islands, Cochin also known as Kochi, turned out to be a journey into the heart of the people of Kerala. Getting to know the pleasant people of cochin helped me in gaining insight into their deep cultural values. It is one of the finest natural harbors in the world & have a fascinating blend of the cultures of various explorers and traders, who visited this land. I also visited the coconut plantations and coir villages.
Trivandrum Backwaters : After an eventful journey to Cochin, I arrived in Trivandrum. My days in Kerala were colorful, warm, and full of sunshine, until I reached Trivandrum. "What if it rains?" everybody questioned. But to my utter disappointment, it only drizzled for few minutes. I will remember Thiruvallam backwaters for its canoe rides. I visited the secluded beaches and the ancient historic monuments of Trivandrum.
Kottayam Backwaters :
It was a clear, dry day when we arrived in Kottayam. I visited various churches in Kottayam including St. Mary's Church. Built in1585, St. Mary's Church is one of the most ancient churches of Kerala. Its interiors were very impressive and on the other side of the aisle, a couple was getting married. Dusk was sheer magic, a moment of complete silence, and then time came to say goodbye to enchanting Kottayam Backwaters.
Valiaparamba backwaters
Valiyaparamba in Kasaragod district is a scenic backwater stretch in Kerala.Fed by four rivers and dotted with numerous little islands, Valiyaparamba is fast turning into a much favoured backwater resort that offers enchanting boat cruises.Valiyaparamba, a strip of land separated from the mainland, is also a noted fishing centre in the district.The destination is just an hour's drive from Bekal - one of the most enchanting beaches of Kerala.The Bekal fort, which stands on a headland that runs into the sea, offers a spectacular view of the surroundings.
