Traveling round the Backwaters.

Most people who visit India want to visit the Backwaters of Kerala. These waters are a network of rivers, lakes and canals. Thirty eight rivers feed into the backwaters.

 Touring around on a houseboat is one of the most popular things to do. Local families love to go on the houseboats as do the foreign tourists.

This boat parked off most nights in front of our Homestay.

 The boat usually sets off in the morning and it tours around the backwaters until sunset and then a quiet spot is found to park off for the night. The staff  cook up a delicious Indian meal and the guests just chill (and fight off the mozzies) We went on a houseboat during a former visit to Kerala so this time we just enjoyed watching the houseboats travel past our homestay and we would wave,  the guests on the boat would wave and sometimes they would even grab their cameras to photograph us sitting on our balcony. Made us feel a little like royalty really!!

The government ferry.

This time we wanted to do it differently. Jose our host drew a detailed little map for us and sent us off to town in time to get on the government ferry. These ferries are fun as you travel with the people and they stop off at regular intervals so you get a chance to see the life on the backwaters. the two and a half hour journey only costs about Two Rand!!

The Backwaters are a photographers dream. My little point and push worked overtime.

We did two trips on two different days and both were absolutely wonderful!

We went off to Kottyam on our first trip and then on another day we went to Chennamkary.







The beauty of these waters defies all the adjectives I know!!

Doing the washing!

Boys having fun.

At some places the waters are choked with hyacinth.

This beautiful church  is tucked away amongst the palms.

Schoolchildren use the ferry too!

Quite a job for the teacher on duty to see they all get on on time!