It almost didn’t happen… I was ready to give up. We had gone from gray sky beach hopping to Kollam one of the oldest ports in the Arabian Sea so we could try and find a houseboat to spend 2 days on exploring the backwaters of Kerala. When we arrived the only accommodation we could find was a dungy very dirty hotel. We hardly wanted to spend anytime in it so once we arrived we had lunch and then got our search on for a houseboat. We must have visited about a million different people and each one was not budging on the price and some of the details they were telling us were not what we were looking for. We also wanted to make sure we saw the houseboat first before agreeing to anything. We were all getting frustrated. It had never taken any of us this long anywhere to book any type of vacation tours. At the end we ended up agreeing with one guy that we would come back at 9am the next day to see the houseboat and book just one day/night cruise with him. That night it ended up raining non-stop. It was like monsoon rain… hard, strong & scary. The next morning it was cloudy and still semi-raining so we agreed to forget about renting a houseboat from Kollam and head up to Alleppey and try our luck there.
We got there and once again were having a hard time finding concrete information and a houseboat to rent. We were about to give up when finally it clicked we will just have to wake up early the day we want the boat and go see them and book it straight there. First we started with a houseboat our hotel owner said he could get us for a reasonable price. We saw it and were not happy; it wasn’t what we wanted. I was heartbroken again, but then everything changed. We went to where all the houseboats were and a guy that had seen us the day before called us over to show us a houseboat. It was just what we were looking for a two bedroom, two baths with a nice living area on the deck and a terrace with lounging chairs on the top deck. It would include all 3 meals, a welcome drink 2 days/night of exploring the backwaters of Kerala. We asked the price and it was out of our range, but then our bargaining skills kicked in and we basically pleaded with him to give it to us at a price we could all afford. He gave in and we all felt relieved… I was excited all over again and so happy I hadn’t given up. We had about an hour before it was time to check in so made sure we got everything we needed that would not be included like sodas, chips and junk food and then made our way to the beautiful boat and started one of the most amazing experiences our lives.
Oh yes that above is our boat… we arrived settled in and had our welcome drinks. We were all excited that after 2 days of searching we were going to enjoy 2 peaceful days/nights unplugged and enjoying life how it’s meant to be enjoyed relaxing. We spent the next two days reading, chatting, drinking, eating some awesome food, but most of all we spent most of our time just observing. We starred out with a gaze from the upper deck of our boat at life in the backwaters of Kerala. We watched palm tree after palm tree pass us by, we watched people use the river as their shower, washing machine, pool, source of food and everything in between. We watched people carry things on small boats I didn’t even know was possible, like bikes and bricks. We watched nature at it’s best, beautiful birds flying around, cows roaming the narrow strips of land that made bases for homes along the palm trees. We watched literally about a million ducks floating along in a single file through an alley of the backwaters (must have been a migration), we heard all types of animals on and off. When we would occasionally bump into another boat, that wasn’t tourist, but Indian family they would wave at us and we would wave back. It was bliss… we couldn’t get over how amazing, beautiful, relaxing and peaceful this was.
We were living the life, waking up early to have an amazing breakfast, relaxing for a few hours then lunch do more relaxing have a nice cup of tea and snack, then be called for dinner. Oh and the food, man oh man the food was some of the best I have had in India. The truth is, it was a routine we loved and not once did any of us ever get bored… you just couldn’t. Your options were to read, chat or just stare out let your thoughts run through your mind and watch life pass you by. Many times we would just sit there not say a word to each other, but know we all felt the same; awe struck at the experience we were having. We loved it so much we extended it for another day and night. Yup so in the end we did 3 days and 3 nights. Oh it was worth it… and during those 3 days/nights I took over 400 photos, it was just too damn beautiful and well now I’d like to share just a few of my favorite photos with you. I hope this gives you an idea of how it was.
I know right beautiful??? If I could describe this experience in one word it would be BLISSFUL. I don’t even know if that is a word, but it was. Okay I just looked it up and yes it is a word. Anywho it was blissful… it was an experience I honestly think everyone should experience at least once in his or her life. I am also happy that I had the chance to do this with friends, not just people I met a day or two before. Not that their is anything wrong with that, but it just made it more special. I am glad I was able to do it with Val, Jessica & Dani.
On my trip around the world I have done and seen many amazing things. I have had more amazing experience then I think any human should be allowed to have in their life, but the only other time I felt this way about an experience I have had on the road is when I went on a Sahara Desert Expedition in Morocco. I just feel that some experiences are experiences everyone should have. I know my time in India has been tough with many ups and downs, but aside from volunteering for two weeks in Setrawa with some of the most beautiful kids in the world this is going to go down as one of the best moments in India and of my whole trip around the world.
You are totally right!! It’s THE Experience 🙂
I found you blog by chance and read few articles.
I am from Morocco and now staying in New Delhi, India 🙂
I’m sorry about what happened in Fez, but glad you enjoyed Chefchaouen and Essaouira( 2 of my favourite cities in My beloved Country)
Wish you the best
Regards
Soukaina
Hi Soukaina, glad you found my blog & hope you enjoy it. Oh Morocco was amazing yet so crazy… yeah I sadly hated Fez a city so many like and well I did love love LOVE Chef & Essao. It’s all about THE experience no matter where you are at. Hope I hear form you more through out the blog!!!
So glad you guys had a good time, you deserve it after some of the other Indian adventures. Maybe Julia & I will find ourselves there someday!
Scott recently posted..The KL Kooler
Thanks Scott, I hope you & Julia do make it down here someday and for sure do this. It will be a highlight… it’s just amazing.
Ah, this is one of the few reasons I REALLY want to go to India. Well, actually, maybe it’s the only reason! Anyway, this looks AMAZING. I hope i get to do it one day… Some of the highlights of my trip so far have been the times where I’ve had no internet and was forced to spend my time relaxing and enjoying my surroundings 🙂
Lauren recently posted..My Summer Plans for 2012!
I’m so glad you didn’t pass this experience up! This is one of my most favorite places in the entire world!!!!! Awesome pics, especially of the sunset.
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..Macau: Day 2 (Part 3)
Andi Im glad too… that we didn’t pass this up! I can see why it’s one of your favorite places in the world.
Glad this was a bright spot for you. Looks fantastic.
Kent @ No Vacation Required recently posted..Yotel – Heathrow’s Black Light District
Thanks Kent was bliss!!!
So glad you had such a wonderful time! I have always wanted to take a trip on one of these boats ever since I saw a picture of one in a NG mag, years ago. I just wish it wasnt so difficult to find a good deal on them. Will do for sure. Thanks for the pix, they are great!
Best to you,
M
Thanks Marla, and yes it’s a nightmare to try and find a deal on them but with every struggle. Once you get on the boat and are out there, it’s a done deal & you are enjoying life how it’s meant to be treated. Hope you make it out there one day!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the houseboat, I knew there would be something in India you’d love and you’d at least understand some of my passion for that country. =D
Gorgeous pictures, lovely boat, and looks like you all had a blast.
David recently posted..Photo Essay: Ladysmith, Wisconsin
Hey DAVID!!! Yes I am glad I enjoyed it and of course… their is more to India I like than just this. It’s crazy how my feelings for India have changed so much now. Of course I will write about it. Oh & I understand now why some have so much passion for this country… it’s amazing.
I would suggest to take a tour for couple hours on smaller boat as houseboats goes only on main channels and you are too far from the real live of villages.
Vi recently posted..Sri Lanka in five days. Day 4
Vi, that was part of some of the other tours, but not on this one. Either way it was amazing & one day I;ll have to go back and see that and just do it all over again.
I’m glad you were finally able to secure a boat. You don’t want to overpay but you won’t want to miss out on the experience either! *happysigh* Looks so special!
Heather recently posted..Saving for travel while planning a wedding
Thanks Heather, exactly & am glad we got it all.
Jaime, this looks like it was such a great trip! Your photos are gorgeous! I’m so glad you were able to finally figure out a way to make it happen. And you needed that relaxation after all the other crazy stuff you experienced for months in India.
Ali recently posted..Thoughts on One Year of Unemployment
Thanks Ali, this actually was amazing. I loved it so much and really was what we needed after so many crazy days in India. This is something I know you and Andy would really enjoy doing if you ever came to India.
Great memories of Kerala and the backwaters. I rode the backwaters back in 1981 on a two year trip thru India…an amazing experience. So fun to read about it again.
Oh wow… in 1981? How was it like then? I am sure so much has changed in over 20 years. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Actually I guess it was 30 years ago….(!) Back then there were not the boats for travellers…I remember paying a guy two rupees to sit on the top of his boat as he transported things between Allepey and Quillon…stopping along the way in the backwaters. What a wonderful experience….I travelled about 40 countries back then but the two years I spent in India were just amazing. Have fun!
OMG WOW Chris doing this 30 years ago must have been amazing… that is just crazy. I am in AWE right now. What an experience that must have been. Wow 40 countries & 2 years in India… I bet you have some crazy stories.
Looks awesome. I’ve heard a ton of good things about the backwaters of Kerala and what a different environment/dynamic it is from the northern cities. Will definitely be adding this to the India itinerary!
Vicky recently posted..Virginia Beach – Photo of the Week
Vicky it is AMAZING… and honestly it is something that can not be missed. I hope you make it to the South and are able to experience this.
Jaime,
Great article! You are right, the experience is like no other!
In fact, I am from Kerala and we are planning to start a small portal for houseboats with reviews (like other travel sites) so that more travellers can book and enjoy the experience.
I am talking to houseboat companies and they are more than willing to share photos and videos about what the experience will be like.
Glad to connect here!
Chacko
That sounds awesome Chacko!!! Good luck!!!
I am slowly digesting your travel blog. You really open us to the world. Thank you so much Jaime!!
Hi Rory I hope you are enjoying it. If you need anything let me know!