Wanderlust Tales : Allepey Diaries - Venice of the East
Allepey or more commonly known as Alappuzha is among the most famous tourist spots in the state of Kerala. With its network backwater, lagoons and houseboats - it is known as the Venice of the East.It was Lord Curzon who coined this name for the place.
Kerala tourism is majorly boasted because of the Allepey's inviting natural beauty, lined palm trees , seafood and the backwaters. 😍
GURUVAYUR DIARIES:
https://xylo742.blogspot.com/2018/11/wanderlust-tales-road-trip-to-guruvayur.html
DAY 1
THINGS TO DO IN ALLEPEY:
- Boat ride
We reached Allepey by 14:30 hours and after a comfortable check in at Ramada followed by a scrumptious lunch - we set to experience the mesmerizing boat ride in the Vembanad lake and Punnamada Lake.
We took the package from our hotel itself - which cost us approximately Rs.1000/- for the family, this price was just for an hour of boat ride.
There were other packages where they would show you around the villages in the nearby areas, make you aware of the rural lifestyle and culture, village walk. We chose to skip all these shenanigans and opted straight for the Shikara ride.
We had the entire boat to ourselves.
Owing to the snake race practice in the Punamada Lake, we had to set off early to make it into the deeper backwaters before the practice begins.
There is heavy patrolling during the time and the regular houseboats, boats aren't allowed anywhere near.
With plentiful of houseboats in the water - life in a houseboat is intriguing. The houseboats are a version of Kettuvallam - Kettu meaning living structure and Vallom meaning boats. In the good olden days these were used to carry spices and rice.
There were other packages where they would show you around the villages in the nearby areas, make you aware of the rural lifestyle and culture, village walk. We chose to skip all these shenanigans and opted straight for the Shikara ride.
We had the entire boat to ourselves.
Owing to the snake race practice in the Punamada Lake, we had to set off early to make it into the deeper backwaters before the practice begins.
There is heavy patrolling during the time and the regular houseboats, boats aren't allowed anywhere near.
With plentiful of houseboats in the water - life in a houseboat is intriguing. The houseboats are a version of Kettuvallam - Kettu meaning living structure and Vallom meaning boats. In the good olden days these were used to carry spices and rice.
As you submerge yourself in the lapse of the nature, you can see the blooming life on either side of the pristine backwaters - life is going on so normally for the folks out here. 😊
There are regular motor boats using which people commute to and fro for their daily work.
For us as tourists, we get highly astonished on seeing the life led by the locals - how aligned to the backwaters there are churches, temples, shops, restaurants flourishing on the banks of the backwaters.
But life is so BAU for the rural here - just a matter of perspective I believe.👍
At a time there are more than a 1000 houseboats in the backwaters.
Just cruise through the backwaters - watching the sun set is an awe struck captivating experience.💕
Backwaters, life flourishing on one side with paddy fields on the other - it is a combined life of three kinds which one can marvel at one go. 😍
Life in the backwaters with umpteen coconut trees, this greenery laden city is worth a visit for the breathtaking landscapes of Kerala.💚
With the gushing winds, clear backwaters, rural life and sun sets - one is sure to turn poetic, if not then one is sure to be just get contemplating.
Rest of the day was spent in enjoying some in house spa in the hotel.
DAY 2
- Allepey Beach
The next morning was reserved for witnessing the beautiful Kerala sunrise on the coast of the Allepey Beach. 🙏
This beach is a landmark of many freshwater rivers,lakes, lagoons flowing into it and the Arabian Sea.
There is 137 year old pier stretching into the sea - it is again one of the famous beaches in Kerala.
A clean beach with views offering a blend of the lighthouse just at a stone's throw, the pier and plentiful of migratory birds.
The place is a haven for migratory birds - I could see a wide variety of birds - but please do not ask names - not a bird person!! 😉
This beach is a landmark of many freshwater rivers,lakes, lagoons flowing into it and the Arabian Sea.
A clean beach with views offering a blend of the lighthouse just at a stone's throw, the pier and plentiful of migratory birds.
Tourists flock in large number here to enjoy the beauty. There is a small park for children.
- Allepey Light House
It is situated in about 200 m from the Allepey Beach and had been built way back in 1862. Albeit it was little strange to find a lighthouse so farther from the sea. I was always of the opinion that the lighthouses are to be in very close vicinity of the sea or in the sea - to serve the purpose they are built for.
It is one the oldest lighthouses in the southern coast of the country.
The lighthouse premises were not open in the early hours of the morning - it houses a museum as well in its premises.
It is one the oldest lighthouses in the southern coast of the country.
- Snake race
Due to the terrible floods in the state, the boat races had shifted from the monsoon time to November 10th.
The snake boats get their name because of the shape - a long canoe style boat about 100 to 120 feet long which can accommodate about 100 odd riders.It is known as chundan vallam in Malayalam.
The tradition of the boat race dates back to 400 years old when kings of Allepey used to fight each other in such boats in the canal.
The races are a highlight of Onam and the fierce show of strength and muscle power - these oarsmen are so much in synchronization, it is so rooted into them. Just watch them oar.
They are usually singing songs to keep up the rhythm and vigor. Do watch the video.
We were able to witness the practice session, if not the actual snake race which is contested for the Nehru Trophy in the Punnamada Lake.
Videos:
The boat ride
Few more photos:
The snake boats get their name because of the shape - a long canoe style boat about 100 to 120 feet long which can accommodate about 100 odd riders.It is known as chundan vallam in Malayalam.
The tradition of the boat race dates back to 400 years old when kings of Allepey used to fight each other in such boats in the canal.
They are usually singing songs to keep up the rhythm and vigor. Do watch the video.
We were able to witness the practice session, if not the actual snake race which is contested for the Nehru Trophy in the Punnamada Lake.
Videos:
Snake race practice:
Source : Some of the facts about the places are from various information available over the internet.
~Believe in yourself always!
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