Here I am back in the world of the landlubbers (is that a word??). We set off for the houseboat area early in the morning yesterday, stopping first in Jew Town again to see inside the synagogue, it being Sunday morning and therefore open. That was good, it was built in 1568 and was interesting, with individually made tiles, ancient chandeliers, old pulpit and beautiful woodwork.
Back on the buuus and off we headed for Alleppey, a small town near the backwaters where we stopped at a supermarket for supplies for the boat. We were still on the hunt for gin which seems very elusive in Kerala so we stopped at a grog shop which had a massive queue outside of Indians lined up for their weekend supplies. The seas parted as they let us jump the queue, perhaps due to a certain air of desperation. But alas, no gin. Fortunately I had my red wine so I wasn’t going to be the one suffering.
So, off to board the houseboat at Nedmundy, run by Evergreen Tours. We had already worded Aji up about Linda, Laureen, Sally and I being on the same houseboat and he gave us a boat for 4 people. There were 4 boats for the 20 of us. We set off at around 1pm and it was the most lovely experience. They served us lunch promptly and we sat on the water, cruising along with wooden fishing boats, sea eagles, women and kids on the shores doing their washing, swimming and playing.
We got off the boats at one point in a small town where the large catholic church was having a service. Definitely an improvement on the services in Australia…a jam-packed church with Indian/ Christian fusion music that sounded good.
Anyway, never let it be said that I’d get carried away with a church service. Back on the boat and we putted along again until around 6pm when they have to stop the boats so the fishermen aren’t disturbed. Then it was just quiet and peaceful and rocking. They served us dinner on the boat and we went to bed early with a very gentle rock. We were served attentively by 3 lovely men, a Captain, a cook and an assistant to both…what more could a little boat of women want??
This morning it was up, the boat started moving again at 7am and we watching the water-dwellers getting up and going off to work and school. We docked at around 8am, got back on the bus and spent the first part of the day driving here to Kovalam down on the coast. It is a resort on the beach, although the beach isn’t that pretty… a bit like Sri Lanka, Rose, although the resort isn’t as tasteful. There are 3 swimming pools.
I went off by myself after lunch here and got in a Tuk Tuk to go and check out what was supposed to be the best swimming beach around. It is about 2km from here and it was steaming hot so I Tuk Tukked. The beach called Lighthouse Beach, was underwhelming, the sand was black, it was rough and uninviting. The walk along the beachfront was lined with slightly grotty tourist shops full of the usual shawls etc. I walked the length of it in my customary pool of sweat and then got in a Tuk Tuk to bring me back. I’d put my bathers on before I left so I walked in here and flopped into the pool without hesitation.
It was a lovely swim, then back up here…Sally was in bed asleep.
We have booked in here for the next 4 nights. This is the last night of the tour. We all do a tour around Trivanthum tomorrow and then most members head off home tomorrow night. I must admit I am wishing that I was one of them but we have another 3 nights.
Off to drinks in Laureen’s room now and then to dinner before too long so I’ll send this now while the WiFi seems to be working.