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KynaSoto · Guest

A cruise through Kerala backwaters is a unique experience that forms a part of every Kerala Tour package. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable today with kettuvellams or houseboats.

Houseboat cruises as part of a Kerala Tour is conducted on a traditional Kettuvallam. ‘Kettuvallam’ means stitched boat. They are 70 feet long, made with wooden planks, joined and stitched together with coir ropes and painted on the outside with cashew nut shell oil or fish oil. A distinctive feature of the Kettuvallam is the design suggesting a possible Chinese influence.

These Kettuvallams were used for transporting huge quantities of heavy materials from one place to other. In earlier days since all places were not well connected by roads, Kettuvallams were the main source of transportation through the Kerala backwaters.

It took long journeys ranging from 5 to 6 days, sometimes weeks even to transport things. Their diet consisted of freshly caught backwater fish, like Karimeen (pearlspot) and Kalangi. Non-perishable staples such as lentils, local large grain "red" rice and inexpensive spices like coriander, ginger, dried chillies, they packed turmeric and black mustard seeds before embarking on a journey.

croarts · Guest

thats cool! but where's that place? :)