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The train journey was once again eventful. Imagine a crowded train, tambourines, a megaphone, throw in a group of nuns and you've got absolute carnage. Luckily the train was only 1 and 1/2 hours. And the nuns were quite entertaining. I suppose it's a habit they have.
We arrived at Alleppey and later to a home stay which was nice. Talked to some English girls there and got some info on Goa. Had a local lunch of thali and noodles. We had forgotten how cheap you can eat in India, so we quickly made up for that by getting two ice creams two juices and a milkshake on our walk abut town. The following day we decided to take the houseboat. We had timed this really well, coinciding with the Indian holiday... so it was extra busy and double the price. We were shown a nice houseboat but it was a bit too luxurious and expensive for us, so they offered us an alternative but it was a rickshaw ride away on another jetty so we were a bit dubious and didn't want the extra expense. He offered to take me (Sean) on the back of his motorbike, leaving Laura in the hands of our first rickshaw driver. I jumped on without hesitation until, too late, I realised this was actually my first time on the back of a motorbike... though for some reason I wasn't nervous. I held on and we weren't going particularly fast. I was however, concerned when he proceeded to text whilst driving. I just thought he probably does it every day. The same thought process applied to when he started talking on the phone. When we stopped he filled me with more confidence by swigging from a bottle, his 'medicine'. I called it vodka. And I kind of hoped he didn't do that every day. He pointed to the boat on the other side of the canal. It looked perfect but we had to get over there. A couple of seconds later an old boatman appeared. Rowing a little wooden boat. I did think to myself, was I going to see the boat or was I being taken to the underworld? Checked out the boat and it was fab. We collected our bags and returned to the boat and set off on our tour of the backwaters.
Words can't describe the next 24 hours. It was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Sean had done a really good job on getting us the exact natural boat we had both imagined. We started out on the top deck. Because we just hadn't had enough sun lately. No sooner had we begun our journey than we made a pit stop to collect our fish for lunch. We also had the choice of the biggest freshwater tiger prawns you have ever seen. Also we couldn't pass up the opportunity of a cheeky Uncle Johns ice-cream. We cruised along the backwaters of Kerala for the next couple of hours. Through fishing villages and picturesque landscapes before stopping for lunch which is possibly the best meal I have ever eaten. Thali traditional style served on a banana leaf. And there were seconds too. Back up on the top deck in the deckchairs for the afternoon with a little break for coffee and banana pakora, some more sunning, idyllic scenes, checking out the other houseboats and smugly agreeing our was best. Sean said it was very paradisiacal. We have argued since about whether that word exists. We stopped in the most paradisiacal spot for sunset over the river and a chilled Kingfisher. Downstairs again for dinner where we were waited on hand and foot by our three staff. This meal exceeded the first with more Thali than you can shake a stick at, fresh fish, fresh prawns, chilled Kingfisher. Seconds and thirds were had. Pineapple for afters, and the most pleasant evening of the trip. All too soon it was bedtime and we crawled into the comfiest bed so far. Up early to finish the journey, the biggest breakfast Indian style (aka curry for breakfast) pineapple and banana and we pulled into shore.
The pictures will explain it best it was an out of this world experience. Worth every rupee. It was with real disappointment that we headed to the train station. Looking forward to Cochin but sad not to be millionaires and own our own houseboat.
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