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Kerala Backwaters
The backwaters of Kerala are what have given it the sobriquet "God's Own
Country". As you meander through these on a houseboat you drift into a timeless
land replete with picture-postcard towns and ancient trading posts. The huge coconut
trees provide an apt backdrop and perhaps you can even eavesdrop on the strains
of an oarsman's song.
A network of lakes, rivers and canals fringe the coast of Kerala.
These backwaters, while a great inland thoroughfare on water, offer
an alternative lifestyle. The criss-crossed, palm-fringed lakes traversed
with Chinese fishing nets are  very
popular cruises, especially between Kollam and Allappuzha. The backwaters
have become important attractions though they are threatened by population
growth and industrial development. Of the 29 major lakes on the backwaters,
seven drain into the sea. Stretched over a total expanse of 1500 kms,
the backwaters have a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from
north to south.
A great way to explore
the hinterland is to go through the villages. A guide takes a group of people
through the villages on an open boat or covered kettuvellum. The tour lasts from
two to six hours. It's a fascinating experience to wander from village to village,
learn how the village economy runs, and watch coir making, boat building, toddy
tapping and fish farming. Some of the best village tours operate out of Kochi,
Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. On the backwaters you have the major towns Allapuzha
and Varkala and Quilon.
Quilon is nestled among cashew plantations and
red-roofed wooden house set among winding streets. It has Portuguese and Dutch
and English influences. The boat cruise here consists of passing through the cashew
processing factories. There are lots of birds to watch out for - Brahminy kites,
egrets, kingfishers, and bee-eaters. You can tickle your taste buds with some
sumptuous seafood. Prawn farming, fish catching, copra drying and matchstick making
are the main occupations here.
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