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Backwaters of Kerala
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Spending some time plying the backwaters of Kerala is high
on most tourist's agenda. The backwaters are huge system of lakes
and rivers, connected by canals
I came to Alleppey from Fort Cochin, got a guest house for a couple of nights, then inquired about my options for seeing the backwaters |
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For many people, the most romantic option is to do an overnight stay on a houseboat, lazing along |
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Or a smaller houseboat |
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And there are other options, mostly quite comfortable |
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I chose the people's method--riding the public ferry
My guest house host recommended I take the ferry as far as Kainakary, hop off and explore a bit, then catch a ferry back |
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So off we go, stopping along the way at docks like this, for more passengers |
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We went along broad canals like this... |
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...passing numerous other boats with varying cargo... |
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...as well as the more open waters of a large lake
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with houses having the most picturesque settings
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After a couple hours we reached Kainakary |
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where I had to leave my handsome companion, Jithin |
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Kainakary, with its tranquil waterfront commercial strip |
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No, I beg your pardon--here's the real shopping center |
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So I sauntered a bit along the waterfront trail, greeting a few people |
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But then I hit a bump |
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All along the route I had seen women washing clothes at these little indentations in the concrete wall |
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Now I had the chance to photograph one up close I did, but when I showed her the photo, she swung at the camera Turns out she was actually bathing (though fully clothed) and I hadn't perceived that |
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By this time I was hungry, so I stopped by a little stand where a guy was preparing stuff for the locals |
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It wasn't clear what it was, but I ordered one
So he starts with a large betel leaf |
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adds a few choice ingredients |
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wraps it up, hands it to me, and I take one bite At that point I lost my nerve and re-gained by sense I decided that a venture into the unknown had better be done in less remote surroundings |
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| So, my walk at at end, back at the ferry dock, I waited for the next ferry to Alleppey, ending a delightful ride | |