Caption: The cover photo.
Hello friends,
Kind attention @StephenAbraham
Through this post, I am trying to explain my experience of a one day trip that happened on the 4th of Nov 2019.
Presently, the re-arranged Photowalk series will contain:
- The houseboat & its interiors. (Here).
- What you may want to know about a Houseboat as a tourist (Here).
- One full day day-trip experience (Here).
- How to avoid disappointments during a Houseboat trip -TIPS (Here).
- Different types of popular houseboats (Here).
- A few shots (Stills & Videos) during the voyage (Here).
- Shikara houseboats in Alleppey (Here).
- Some interesting facts about Houseboats (Here).
(how it is made, how much it costs, which is the costliest houseboat, etc.)
I am a mad man of houseboat vacations.
To be honest, houseboat vacations are one of my weaknesses. For the past 18 years, I have been booking houseboats almost regularly… sometimes with families and other times with friends. In some years, we have hired the houseboats even thrice in one year and consecutively for two days.
Why Lakes & Lagoons as our service provider?
All these years we have selected the Lakes and Lagoons (L&L, the first ISO company in the Houseboat industry in India) as our service provider. This was mainly due to their consistent, high-quality service. They provide excellent hospitality, competitive rates and memorable service, every time. This time also they did not disappoint us.
The previous post 2/8 #Houseboats - What you may like to know about a Houseboat, as a tourist is Here
The next 4/8 #Houseboats - How to avoid disappointments during a Houseboat trip is Here
Photo - 1. Caption: Certificate of the Lakes & Lagoons Tour co.
Planning is important
Of course, we planned our trip 2 months prior & informed them. Since we also had a plan for a musical session (there were 1 male & 3 female singers with us), we specifically selected a boat with a karaoke musical system. We were 12 adults and 4 children during the day and after dinner, we were the only three families to stay overnight.
Coordination
As usual, my wife was coordinating with them; our requirements were reconfirmed one week before & our arrival on the previous day. As planned, we reached the reception office of Lakes & Lagoons by 10 a.m; in fact, the owners of the L&L were waiting to receive us. We had a very cordial reception with tender coconut water and some biscuits.
Photo - 2. Caption: The welcome with the Tender Coconut.
Furnishing Identity docs.
While I was exchanging pleasantries with the office-bearers, my wife got busy with filling the statutory forms and signing them (travellers need to provide their identity cards - Adhar Card or Passport & have to sign some simple, standard declaration forms for every trip).
Beginning the trip
Most of the staff members were familiar with us; they loaded our luggage into a transport boat since the houseboat was parked a couple of kilometres away for parking convenience. We said bye-bye to the owners & staff and started the ferry which ended in 10minutes or so.
The starting of the Voyage:
When we reached the houseboat, the crew members were eagerly waiting for us (most of them were well known to us). And within a short time, we got settled well; luggage was kept in three bedrooms while cameras & mobiles were with us in the sit-out. Meanwhile, the houseboat started moving. As a special privilege, L&L made arrangements for us to start by 11:00 am. (usually, the houseboat trips start by 12 noon).
Photo - 3. Caption: Untie the boat, to start the voyage.
The Music & Voyage:
After a while, we set up the karaoke music system and we started our musical session. Sitting together & clapping, we enjoyed the singing for a while - even the passengers from other boats were clapping for us. After some time, hearing the songs, I also got busy with my shooting; I had 2 other guests who joined me for shooting.
Photo - 4. Caption: TV unit & Karaoke system.
Wow - we enjoyed
We sailed through the interior canals and we got immersed in enjoying the beauty of rural Kerala. We paused our singing session & most of us got busy with the cameras & mobiles. The feeling/enjoyment cannot be explained in words… Need to experience it personally…
What we saw…
We covered some wide rivulets and narrow canals… we saw many different types of boats, birds, churches, temples, colleges, schools, boat jetties, locals washing clothes & many other scenes. While the skipper (captain) was busy driving the other 2 crews were busy cooking.
Photo - 5. Caption: Photos of various boats.
Photo - 6. Caption: A college built on an Island.
Visiting a wharf
Around 1:30, we took a short break at a Boat Jetty/Wharf. I have attached a few shots of the location; it was slightly hot & hence we continued our cruise. The jetty was made by the state govt. for the benefit of tourists & houseboat owners (to anchor their boats at night). The tender coconut we bought here was extremely good; some of us tried the tender mangoes with salt & Chilli-powder. After returning to our boat, the male members of our team had a couple of mugs of beer too.
Photo - 7. Caption: View of a Boat Jetty/Wharf.
Photo - 8. Caption: Shops that are selling mangoes & other salted fruits.
Photo - 9. Caption: Tender mangoes & Pineapples with salt & Chilly powder.
The world-famous Houseboat Lunch
By 2:30 the crew arranged the lunch on the table and the very smell of the food made us all rush for lunch. If you have read the reviews of any houseboat, one of the most important aspects praised to the sky will be the FOOD - the special skills of the cooks are worth praising, every time. We slowly enjoyed our food while the boat was sailing; most of us opted for a short break, after the heavy lunch. (we had some extra bed & rest we managed with the 3 coats).
Photo - 10. Caption: Lunch given in the boat.
Photo - 11. Caption: Photos of the dish varieties available in a Vegetarian lunch.
The evening snacks & the dinner.
By 4:30 we got ready & had tea/coffee with snacks and started the music session again, which lasted till 8 pm; in between, we took a brief break for shooting the sunset. By 6:30, the houseboat was halted for the night stay. A few of us enjoyed a couple of drinks and we all got ready for dinner by 9 pm. The dinner was also fabulous!!!
Photo - 12. Caption: Parippuvada - An evening snack famous in Kerala.
Our guests departed after dinner.
Then a ferry boat came & took the guests back to their cars, which was halted in :&L office premises.
We had another brief family chat session before we went to sleep by 10 pm.
Sunrise shooting.
I was anxious to capture the sunrise & hence got up by 5:30; I was really lucky to get some beautiful shots. By 6 o’clock, others too joined - the staff served us excellent, hot coffee (I rarely drink coffee/tea) - by 7 am, we started sailing back to the starting point.
Photo - 13. Caption: A view of the rising Sun.
Breakfast
By 8:30, the crew called us for the breakfast and we enjoyed their hospitality - awesome food. The mixed fruit juice they made was extremely tasty & felt very different - so I took 2 cups.
Photo - 14. Caption: Appam (Kerala Special Breakfast).
Dilemma
Before packing, my wife asked whether we could extend the cruise - as you can expect, we unanimously agreed (sincerely we all were sad to leave the boat); my wife called the L&L office and unfortunately, the boat had another booking for the day - so sadly got out of the boat, ending a wonderful trip, by around 9:30 am.
We thanked the crew members and gave them some gifts; they were very happy.
Hope the narration & the photos are enjoyable? Right? Can I know your feedback, please?
Thanks in advance.
@AjitThite @doc_dells @AdrianLunsong @MalaysiaAsia @JessPDX @Stphn @Erik_van_den_Ham @KUNGRADTV @Rifat_Rahman
from 