Thursday, July 8, 2010

Water, Water Everywhere...

I don't know how to swim...No, really I don't (don't you dare laugh! :P) So the thought of spending 24 hours on a boat sent shivers down my spine! The backwaters? Yes, pretty and gorgeous...But oh poor me! what if I fall? This was my main concern as I stood in the parking lot with my backpack. The first thing I hunted for as soon as I stepped onto the houseboat was a life-jacket! And my, was that a relief to see one! 

But a few minutes into the ride, I was thrilled! It was an amazing experience, the perfect recipe for relaxation. The houseboat took us from Alleppey to God only knows where! But it was a whole lot of fun.. It was a little hard for me to sit and do nothing, so I killed time clicking away all and sundry!

It's a different world altogether. Boats are the only mode of transport available for most of the people in the area. Their lives revolve around the water, the houses have boats parked in front of them instead of cars and bikes! Imagine going to buy groceries on a boat! (*shudders*) Yes, they even have a Public boat transport system! And there are boat-stands(or whatever they are called!) instead of bus stops. Children go home after school on overloaded(yes, the same there too!) boats. Shops, churches, schools, toddy shops, restaurants, yes all have boat jetties in front! It's a tough life. I did get a ride on the little rowboat too! and my, was that scary! Onlookers got something to amuse them, but hell, I was terrified that the boat would capsize and I'd drown! All it took was a little wave to rock the damn boat like mad!

But it was fun..One advice for those planning to follow suit though...do take something to pass the time there-boardgames, a pack of cards, your Mp3 player, a  book, something! Or it can get quite boring after a while! We played cards all evening after the houseboat was parked for the night and also tried our hands at fishing (well, caught nothing but fine, atleast I tried! :P) Another must visit..an experience not to be missed! :) Here's a dekko! 
P.S- Okay!!! Too many pics will spoil the blog! :P More pics in Part 2... :)

14 comments:

Addy said...

You spent 24 hours on a house boat? Arnt they narrow and small! How deep was the water?
What does backwater mean exactly? Are they huge? Is it the water that comes from the sea?
Lovely pics btw, the first one is awesome!

AldyWaldy said...

No they are not exactly narrow and small...the 3rd pic is that of a normal sized houseboat and they are quite spacious and comfortable...

backwaters are actually lakes and lagoons connected by canals, they are connected to the sea but it is not water that comes from the sea but instead mostly fresh water that comes from the rivers that feed it..

Yes, they are huge.. I just visited one part of it but it actually extends a long way.. Beautiful really.. I saw the part where it meets the Arabian Sea from a distance but we didn't go there. We could see the sea though..but the waves get rougher out there...

Varun said...

I wish delhi gets lots of rains...and then i will also enjoy backwaters (sarcastically) lolz....

AldyWaldy said...

@ Varun: it would be easier to just book a ticket and head south! More feasible! N better chances of coming true! ;) :P

magiceye said...

beautiful captures and a good read too!

AldyWaldy said...

@magiceye: thanks! :) glad you liked it.. :)

Hayaah said...

ha ha... totally how it was for me the 1st time I tried it out in 2007, when I went there! (yup... life jacket and all ;))

I took TONS of pix too... makes me wonder if I should figure out a way to share pix, considering HOW many I did take... a few of ur shots are almost twins of what I took :D

The one other thing that I must add is... insect repellent you WILL be thankful for, cos insects love me and I went without mine O_O

scratching hell i was in =|

AldyWaldy said...

@ Hayaah: yea..do put em up!!! hehe!!! sad abt the insect repellent part! Well, thankfully, the boat we went in provided us with mosquito nets and insect repellents..so that wasn't a problem!!!!
Love the last line!! "scratching hell i was in =|" had me rotfl!!!! ;)

Hayaah said...

khi khi... lucky you and rash ridden boo me O_O

AldyWaldy said...

Hehe!!! :)well, look at the bright side..u emerged wiser! :P :P

Hayaah said...

True that!

we live...
we scratch...
we learn...

;)

AldyWaldy said...

:) :) good one!

Nandita.. said...

just started following ya.. nice posts n great pics!! did ya take them urself ??

AldyWaldy said...

@ Nandita: thanks a ton! :) yea..I took them myself!!! :)