The Kettuvallams or rice barges of Kerala were once the queens of the backwaters but with the advent of more modern forms of transportation they were left abandoned and decaying. Then in 1993 Babu Varghese came up with the idea of converting them for use as floating bungalows.  In 2009 he had another bright idea and allegedly hired assassins to get rid of his business partner.  Some of his ideas were better than others

The barges are constructed of jack wood, lashed together with rope and coated on the outside with a toxic resin made from boiled cashew kernels, not a single nail is used in their construction

In the Malyalam language the word Kettuvallam means sewn or stitched boat

The renovated barges, now called Houseboats, boast from one to seven bedrooms, a modern bathroom, living room, kitchenette and veranda to fish from, or in our case relaxing and watching life on the backwaters drift by.  An Indian friend once told me if ever I found myself in India I must go to "Gods Own Country" and cruise the Backwaters of Kerala on a converted rice barge.   So, here we were on the 900km. network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes and inlets but sadly for only one night

While Fanny was in full relaxation mode the crew prepared our lunch then moored along the bank to eat. But not before they had helped themselves to some betel nut high up a tree.  They had come prepared with a machete on a long pole.  We assumed they would have a happy evening   Lunch, prepared on a couple of gas rings was delicious

On the menu was, baked fish, fish curry, a flamingo pink dish which turned out to be beetroot and mustard seed in yoghurt, stir fried beans with coconut and a masala of spices, Cabbage, carrots with turmeric, tomato and cucumber salad, dal and rice

In the late afternoon a refreshing cool breeze sprang up and by 5.30 our boat was moored for the night

Fanny and I put our mosquito defence plan into action.
All the Deet and Pymethrin spray that had languished in the bottom of our suitcases came into play.  May the gentle Jain forgive us but we even festooned our dining area with old fashioned fly paper which was quickly covered with all manner of flying insects.  Eventually the sounds and smells of dinner wafted from the galley.  We ate and retired, relaxed and happy.  Next morning revealed not a single bite

Our great crew preparing for the day.  When it came time to say goodbye  I couldn't help wondering when, if ever, we would next have 3 men waiting on us hand and foot

We headed back, winding through the palm fringed canals, past paddy fields and hamlets, passing the early morning laundresses, shoppers on the way to market, children taking boats to school and the working men and women of the Backwaters going about their daily business 

It didn't take long to leave the tranquility of the backwater behind.  In Appelley we got snarled up in traffic, as yet another goodnatured procession brought gridlock to the street