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Fringing the coast of Kerala and winding far inland is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals. Traveling the backwaters is one of the highlights of a visit to Kerala. The larger boats are motorized but there are numerous smaller boats propelled by punting with a long bamboo pole.
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The boats cross shallow, palm-fringed lakes studded with cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, and travel along narrow, shady canals where coir (coconut fiber), copra (dried coconut meat) and cashews are loaded onto boats. Along the way are small settlements where people live on narrow spits of reclaimed land only a few meters wide. |
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Although practically surrounded by water, they still manage to keep cows, pigs, chickens and ducks and cultivate small vegetable gardens. Prawns and fish, including the prized karimeen, are also farmed, and shellfish are dredged by hand to be later burnt with coal dust to produce lime. |
The backwaters in Kerala crisscross various districts, giving them a unique charm. The district Alleppey also known as Alappuzha is one district which is proud of its immense beauty. A network of canals rambles through the town and the coconut trees dispersed on each side of the canal adds to its beauty. Also known as the "Venice of the East", this town has earned a place in every tourist’s itinerary. |
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| Alappuzha |
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Alappuzha figures prominently on the tourist trail as one of the major centers for backwater boat trips, served by ferries to Quilon and Kottayam in particular. One of the best-known ports along the coast of Malabar, it is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’.
Alappuzha has the peculiar geographical feature of having the water in level with the land. This gives the advantage of getting a closer look at the village life on
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shore while on a backwater ride. |
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Sailing along in a ‘kettuvallam’ (houseboat) through the enchanting backwaters of Alappuzha is sure to rob your heart. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are sights one can never forget. One can glimpse Chinese fishing nets, flocks of ducks swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky. It is as close as one can get to feel the vibrant life in the countryside of God’s own Country. |
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| Kumarakom |
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Sailing on a boat, relish the fragrance of this dozy little town. Kumarakom lies on the shores of the pleasant Vembanad Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad, 12 kms west of Kottayam town. Kuttanad, the 'Wonder Land' believed to have been lying below the sea level, sprang out into the marshes when the sea receded later. As a testimony to this fact, one can see large deposits of shells in the lakes here, which are usually found in the sea. It comprises of a number of islands
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in the backwaters and waterways linking the islands providing enough panoramic treat for the visitors. |
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Kumarakom, one of well known tourist destinations in Kerala. An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at the Tourist retreats in Kumarakom. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an |
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| ornithologist's paradise. Birds from all over the world flock at a sanctuary in their process of migration which is plentiful in south India. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live here in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands. |
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| Kuttanad Backwaters |
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| Kuttanad lies sandwiched between the sea and the hills. Kuttanad is an amazing labyrinth of shimmering waterways composed of lakes, canals, rivers and rivulets. Lined with dense tropical greenery, it offers a glimpse into rural Kerala life-styles. The view changes from narrow canals and dense vegetation to open vistas and dazzling green paddy fields. Homes, farms, churches, mosques and temples can be seen among the trees. And if you are lucky you might catch the blue |
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| flash of a kingfisher or the green of a parakeet. Endle tranquility is yours for the taking here. |
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