Sailing through the backwaters in Alleppey, Kerala Jan 3 2012 – Jan 4 2012

Houseboat on backwaters in Alleyppey – January 3, 2012

We drive up 4 hours north along the western coast from Kovalam’s beautiful beaches to Alleppey, where we embark on our very own private houseboat tour of the backwaters. They call Kerala, “God’s Own Country”. We’re beginning to see why…

Cruising along Kerala’s backwaters – January 3, 2012

We cruise through the backwaters in a 2 bedroom, 2 full bath houseboat. It’s fully equipped with a kitchen and chef trained in the traditional local cuisine. Our crew of two men are dressed in long fabric sarongs known as lungis and groomed with the omnipresent South Indian moustaches.

Painting on the houseboat – January 3, 2012

So tranquil and picturesque, I’m calm, yet full of inspiration. I can’t resist bouncing back and forth from taking pictures and painting. Absorbing the beauty around me.

Dinner on the Houseboat – January 3, 2012

The dinner our chef made on the houseboat tasted just like my grandmother’s cooking. Fish-fry, dahl and rice, greenbeans, cabbage with coconut and papadom. So delicious.

School kids taking a long tail boat home – January 3, 2012

As we sail through the backwaters, we observe everyday life for those who live on its banks. School kids decked out in their uniforms and backpacks, pile into a long tail boat as they travel back home after a day of lessons.

Brothers bike riding home in Alleppey – January 3, 2012

Brothers bike riding along the banks of the backwaters…

Mini boat ride through backwaters – January 3, 2012

Our houseboat docks as we transfer into a little boat. A local takes us for a more intimate look at life along the backwaters.

Rowing through narrow backwaters – January 3, 2012

Rowing through the backwaters, it almost feels cavernous with the lush vegetation surrounding us, creating a canopy.

Woman washing clothes – January 3, 2012

You can sense the warmth of this woman from her smile as she graciously allows us to take a picture of her washing clothes along the banks of the backwaters.

Rowing past docked houseboats – January 3, 2012

Little girl watching – January 3, 2012

Little girl all decked out with earrings, necklace, bindi, and a beautiful red dress. She looked like a little doll.

Little boy outside of his home – January 3, 2012

Even though this picture came out blurry as the sun was setting and we rowed past, I had to include it. He was just such a darling. The sweetest little thing posed for us and had the most innocent smile. Simply precious.

Rowing back to the houseboat as the sunsets – January 3, 2012

We make our way back to our houseboat for a glass of wine and then sleep in our rooms as the boat quietly rests on the edge of the backwaters.

Cow in front of temple in Alleppey – January 4, 2012

Before heading off for Cochin, we stop to visit a Hindu temple. This stone cow sat in front, facing the temple. The layered brass bells with red and yellow thread, and flowers reflect the importance placed on this sacred animal. The cow is honored for all that it gives: Milk, curd and ghee (refined butter) to nourish families, and dung used for fuel. In early centuries AD, killing a cow was considered as severe as killing a Brahman.