The journey so far - 2 - Alappuzha

The finishing point for Nehru Trophy boat race, Allappuzha

A sight of the Vembanaadu Kaayal

Land of Kera (Coconut trees)

A typical boat from the backwaters

The famed boat house of Allappuzha

Destination: Aleppey (locally known as Alappuzha), Kerala.

Distance from Bangalore: Approx. 600 kms by road (Via. Salem and Coimbatore)

Travel: Few buses are available from Bangalore to Alleppey but the best option would be train, if you aren't planning to take your 4 wheeler for a long drive!
Indian Railway operates a train that departs from Blore at 5pm & arrives at Alleppey by 5am (Please check the timigs with railway before you plan your travel)

To Do: Alleppey almost rhymes with Houseboats! or atleast thats the picture anybody gets first to mind. The backwaters of Punnamada Kaayal, Vembanaattu Kaayal etc. are delight to anyone. So when you are at Alleppey, the first thing you do is get to the boat jetty, or the place where boats are anchored. Plenty of buses ply from railway staion to boat jetty.
Like anywhere else even here your bargaining skills can save few extra bucks! The house boat rides are of 2 types, one is a day ride where you board the boat at 9am, cruise through the backwaters of Punnamada & Vembanaattu and alight by 5.30pm. Second one is the overnight package where your ride starts from boat jetty at 12pm, cruise through the backwaters and anchor amidst the backwaters by 5pm. Spend your night on the boat house with sumptuous Kerala style food. Cruise back to boat jetty in the morning to alight by 9am. Both rides include tea & snacks with mouth watering sea food/ veg lunch for every person on board. Overnight cruisers can enjoy a glorious dinner and alight after the morning snack!

Best time to visit: Houseboats are available round the year, Aug - Sept, Dec -Jan & Mar-May being the peak time. Nehru trophy vallam kali, the famous annual snake-boat race takes place on the second saturday of August and is a large crowd puller. Enjoy the monsoon showers on the deck if you are of the poetic types!

Stay: Why would anybody want to stay in a hotel room while they are in Alleppey? (Though there are few good hotels available). When I reached Alleppey railway station with my friends, we headed straight to boat jetty, fixed the deal and boarded the houseboat. Something missing?? Yes, the houseboats have complete facilities like the ones you get in a hotel. Air-Conditioned bedrooms with attached tiled bathroom and toilets, large dressing mirror, walk ways with windows into the backwaters, hot water supply, kitchen, dining hall, TV (odd man out!), sofas and seatings etc. Houseboats are available ranging from 2BHK to 7BHK! Board the boat, finish your daily chores, freshen up and relax on the deck! So in case you are planning to stay back at Alleppey then what better place than swaying waters!

Food: You would not want to relax hungry on a boat deck, I mean, who would even call it relaxing! So, here's your cook in the boat house serving you hot coffee/tea with snacks. If incase you need a heavy breakfast then please inform them before boarding. The houseboat cook serves mouth watering sea food and other curries for lunch and dinner (please inform if you have exceptions or need vegetarian). The boat even stops at small hotels on the banks where you can enjoy the Naadan kappayum meenum - Kallum, Tapioca dish with fish curry and toddy! It's Kerala boyy!!

Highlights of the place: Enjoy the cruise watching the lifestyle on banks of the backwaters, where water stretches right into the veranda of the houses. People here depend on water for anything and everything. Do not be surprised to see women rowing small boats, because like we have 2&4wheelers, here every house seems to have a boat. Build a rapport with your boat driver, who can explain you the history of place (Malayalam interpretor might be handy!).
Alleppey is one of the very few places in the world where paddy is grown upto 4ft below sea level! If you see pipes pumping water out of an enclosed area then thats the field being carved out of backwaters by emptying all water and building a bund to stop water entering into it. Later soil is filled into it to make it ready to cultivate. Interesting, I know!

Places nearby: In Kerala, you are never too far from a tourist spot! Alleppey has other beached like Cochin, Kovalam, Kollam, the famous waterfalls of Athirappilly , hill stations of Munnar and Thekkidi all at almost same distances but on different directions! Nearest tourist spot is the scenic Alleppey beach itself!

Things to remember: I would suggest you to bargain and fix a deal when you are at the boat jetty than doing it online and over the phone. Because you get to have a look at what you are travelling in and not get shocked by just another boat, when you land there.
Again, its a waterbody so please take extra care, especially of that naughty kid of your's!
Veggies might have minimum options, so please carry if you are particular with something.
Last but not the least, dispose your trash responsibly.

Happy & Safe journey,
Sam.