font-size: medium;”>Blessing of Nature:

The name Alappuzha means the land between the sea and network of rivers flowing into it. The best way to experience Alleppey is by taking a boat ride in its alluring backwaters. Little tips from the wedding reception ensured eatables for us for the next 24 hours. Towering palm-fringed canals, shimmering water, clear lagoons, flocks of ducks waddling under the soft sun caught our sight. Amazed at the bustling shores, we headed towards the delightful setting. Very often in life, our senses are satiated by a place. Blessed by nature, Alleppey gave us a warm welcome.

As we neared the Punnamada Lake, our eyes got a visual treat with numerous beautiful and artistic houseboats lined up for their journey. Our guide took us to the houseboat we had booked. He told us that a night cruise on the backwaters is one of the most-popular cruises offered. A round trip from Alleppey in the backwaters, after having spent the day and night in the tranquility of the place leaves you spellbound. The cruise takes you through the clear waters of the prominent Punnamada Lake–the venue of the legendary Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race.

You can visit the 400-year-old Champakkulam church, one of the seven churches established by St Thomas. The Chavara Bhavan, located at a distance of six kilometre, is another interesting place that one can’t afford to miss. The ancestral home of the Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the Chavara Bhavan houses the legendary 250-year-old beacon of light–preserved intact in its original and primitive form.

Excited on hearing the account of this exotic location, we moved towards our ship the houseboat. We were amazed the moment we saw a houseboat. Bedecked with world-class facilities, the houseboat was not less than an architectural marvel created on a small boat. With absolutely no interface with the outside world, apart from few stoppages on the nearby shores, we gave in to the journey.

Cruising along the Punnamada Lake, we got a slice of true Kerala lifestyle. The view of villages along the banks, green paddy fields and coconut groves captivated our mind, body and soul.

Cruising down the backwaters on the houseboat, locally called kettuvallam, for some quiet moments reflected solitude. While I relished the traditional Keralite breakfast kappa (tapioca) and meen (fish) curry, my friend connected his laptop with some nice music and the whole new experience in water came striking back to us. The water lilies, when seen in the night, dazzle like the twinkling stars in a dark sky. Fishermen and women add to the magic with their imaginative ways of fishing. The cruise tantalised us with its breathtaking serenity to remain as the most beautiful reminiscences of our lives.

As the boat covered kilometres in water, we were left with rich experience of watching coconut trees leaning to the water and touching the blue sky. The thought reinstated in my mind why Kerala is God’s own Country.