A Cruise along the palm
fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat or ketuvallom is the
most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In this world of simple
pleasures, you'll skim past ancient chinese fishing nets, water lillies,
lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut
groves.Innumerable lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries, and te deltas of
forty-four rivers make up the 900 km backwater network of Kerala. The
backwatrs mainly covers the four districts of the state - Kollam, Alleppey
(alappuzha), Kottayam and Kochi ( Cochin ).The largest backwater body, the
Vembanad lake flows through Alleppey (Alappuzha) and Kottayam districts
and opens out into the sea at the Kochi (Cochin) Port. The Ashtamudi Lake,
the second largest backwater stretch, offers the longest ride and is
considered the gateway to the backwaters.The Houseboats or Kettuvalloms of
Kerala are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 foot in length,
retrieved from being lost to the State altogether.Once these Rice Barges
ruled the backwaters, poled along by one or two men, heavily loaded with
rice, coconut and other commodities. But in the recent times, the
ketuvalloms or houseboats have been replaced by more and modern modes of
transport, relegating them to neglect and decay.
Traditionally, the Houseboats was called Kettuvallam, which means a boat
made by tying together pieces of wood. Unbelievably it may sound, not a
single nail is used in the making of a ketuvallam. Jackwood planks are
joiined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from
boiled cashewnut shells.There used to be an entire clan of artisans who
were involved in kettuvallom or houseboat construction. Today, an
innovative holiday idea has restored these majestic representatives of a
unique culture and with them their makers.The Kerala houseboats that
cruise these emerald waterways are an improvisation on the large country
barges which were an essential part of the land's ethos in days gone
by.Modified to meet a novel concept of holidaying, the kettuvalloms or
houseboats are comfortably furnished with an open lounge, one or two bath
attached bedrooms and a kitchenette, and are extremely eco friendly,
merging smoothly into the panorama. Every houseboat is manned by a crew -
usually a cook, a Captain, and an Oarsman.The kitchen in the houseboat or
ketuvallam is the production center of the best traditional Kerala food.
The availability of fishes and all along the backwater add special charm
to the authentic Kerala cooking. Only fresh materials are used and
purchased locally to support the economy of the village. Only authentic
Kerala food is prepared under high standards of hygiene and professional
competency by expert cooks, who have been specially trained.The highest
classifications awarded by Dept. of Tourism for Houseboats are Gold Star
and Silver Star. All the Houseboats dealt by us are either Silver Star or
Gold Star.
The Luxury A/c Houseboat facilities :Front living area and bedrooms have a
beautiful wooden ceiling with overlapping logs to give it a contemporary
feel.The wooden ceiling in the living/dining area has 200 fiber optic
lighting points to emulate the stars during the night and gives a cozy
feeling. The light intensity or ‘glow’ can be adjusted according to guest
preferences.Additional lighting in the living area of the Luxury A/c
Houseboat will be provided with terracotta lamps with candles to provide
an ideal, romantic setting for the boat.The bedrooms of the Luxury A/c
Houseboat have complete glass windows stretching across 3/4ths of the wall
to offer the guests a complete and uninterrupted view of the backwaters
while traveling Each bed in the Luxury A/c Houseboat is located at the
exact height of the window, so the guest gets a good view even while lying
on the bed.Each room in the Luxury A/c Houseboat has a dressing mirror,
luggage compartment, writing table, wardrobe, attached bathrooms and
air-conditioning .Bathrooms in the Luxury A/c Kettuvallams have a shower
area with WC and wash basin and are one of the largest, if not the largest
on any boat. All fittings are of high quality.The wall next to the WC has
a large picture window that offers the guest an ample view of the
backwaters, similar to the one in the bedroom and it also offers a feeling
of space and ample natural lighting. The exterior walls, i.e. the textured
finished walls in the dining/living area and pathway have niches
incorporated in them. These niches have paintings that follow a theme on
each Luxury A/c Houseboat. The kitchen, at the rear of the boat, is
complete with a modern equipment and ambience, even though it is for use
for the staff only. A 165 lt. fridge is also part of the equipment level.
Even guests can use the kitchen facility for themselves if they so
choose.Every toilet is equipped with shower areas and water heaters. Each
room is Air-conditioned using proper split units & Lifesavers and safety
jackets are available on board.Onboard game activities include - Chess,
Caroms, Scrabble, Playing cards etc. Fishing rods, painting and sketch
pads, Library & High-End music system.Come, check into our House boat for
the most amazing experience of your life.
