Enchanting Kerala

KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER

Musings on the water

A unique prospect to enjoy nature’s bounty, rippling in the magical backwaters of Kochi! Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, Ernakulam district is a cluster of islands networked by lagoons and backwaters. A cruise through the tranquil stretch of backwaters in Kochi exploring its scenic beauty and the simple life of the village folk, offers you moments like never before. Here, the scenic backwater destination of Poothotta offers visitors exotic sightseeing, boating and fishing experiences. Moovattuzha River in Poothotta has on its bank the vista of three districts in Kerala; Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam.

You can set on your cruise from the main boat jetty Ernakulam. Houseboats will take you through the backwaters, wide canals and lagoons. Don’t be confused by the floating patches of greenery, they are among the many isles scattered across the backwaters. Vattavelil Thuruthu extending to an area of 46 acres is predominantly a farming village. Paalakkari Island, where the aqua tourism project of Matsyafed is implemented, gives you ample opportunities for traditional fishing. Here you can relish fresh fish delicacies at a reasonable price. Take a walk through the Kattikunnu Thuruthu, which is clad in the blanket of greenery.

Ithipuzha is the next destination where you would really touch the tranquility of village life. Three hours of cruise in a country canoe through narrow canals across the village takes you to another world. The swaying foliage bordering the canal cools you down even at noon. Just look around and everywhere there is green.

Throughout the backwater trip you can see a typical backwater life of Kerala. And that is, men and women moving around in small country boats to reach their respective destinations and also to indulge in various backwater based vocations. These backwaters are their lifelines, and they row their boats daily to keep their hearth warm. The huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets is a fascinating sight to behold here.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the backwater village is your dream world of serenity. You can have a close view of the countryside. Scattered islands, lush greenery along the banks, fishing activity, toddy tapping and coconut palms lining the waters are just a few to mention.