Two things we all agreed on before arriving to the Backwaters of Kerala were a) we would check out as many boats as we could before deciding on one and b)we would haggle like never before for a good price. On our arrival we were immediately shown to a luxury boat with an upper lounge-deck, a lower deck with dining and lounge area complete with TV and DVD player, wood-lined ensuite bedrooms with windows overlooking the waters, and with a personal chef to prepare traditional Keralan meals along with a waiter to serve them up. Needless to say we didn't view any other boats, nor did we make use of our well honed haggling skills. We just smiled and nudged one another, unable to hide the sheer excitement we were feeling. We were millionaires for the day!
As we cruised off into the Backwaters we felt as though we were being rewarded for any hardship we may have endured on our travels so far (poor us I hear you say). Lines of coconut palms stretched across the horizon as far as we could see. Colourful villages popped up here and there on the banks and the only sound was the gentle spluttering of houseboat motors. A glimpse of life on these waters made us wonder what it must be like to wake up each morning to such calm. One of the help (yeah I said it!) then appeared and beckoned us downstairs to the dining area to enjoy a scrumptious array of coconut infused dishes, served in millionaire-sized portions of course!
We cruised and then cruised some more, feeling about as relaxed as one can feel. Doing nothing had never been so easy and before we knew it the light began to fade as the sun slowly sank from view while playing host to a most magnificent light show fit only for the eyes of millionaires.
After dark we docked to sample some more of our chef's work, as good as before only even better! We chatted and ate by candle light surrounded only by the stillness and blackness of the waters. We also watched a terrible DVD, the only one on board, with Adam Sandler in it but I'll not go into that. Off to our millionaire beds then to be rocked to sleep.
The sun had almost risen when I climbed to the deck the following morning and the light began to expose the little houses on the banks as their owners bathed in the waters and began their day. We opted for hot showers instead before sitting to dine on the Backwaters for the last time.
As we disembarked we had all fallen silent and felt somewhat depressed about returning to our back-packing lives. To soften the blow we decided to take a regular passenger boat to our next destination. It wasn't quite the luxury we had become accustomed to but it kept the smiles on our faces for another day.
4 comments:
Hey Hey :-P
Looks like your trip has turned into an adventure so far!.... Cant wait for you to get to New Zealand!
Love.
Jay x
I want to be a millionaire just for one day, just one!!! Aleście sobie wypaśną wyprawę zafundowali moi milusińscy podróżnicy. Takam zaczytana w te Wasze zwierzenia i ledwo kończę czytać jeden wątek a już nie mogę się doczekać następnego. Piszcie często i gęsto bo po drugiej stronie ekranu siedzą inne takie maniaki jak ja i z drżeniem serca czekają na kolejny rozwój wydarzeń. Buziole krejzole :-). Jadziadzia :-)))
Wow! now i want to be there! oh yes, this just sounds like the life i should be having. Love your blog by the way, and about time i make an appearence, hellllllloooooooo!!!!!!!!
Helloooo .... didn't realise it was almost a month since my last comment! Been to Dublin 'til last week and a bit mad organising the weekend here too! This trip on the backwaters of Kerala looked AMAZING .... Looks like the boat was pure luxury. You both look so pleased sitting with all that gorgeous food in fron of you too - bless your wee socks! [Not as good as the roast vegetables and cous cous chez moi though eh?! ;-)]
The light on the river is gorgeous and it all looks SO calm and relaxing - beautiful. Love JJxx
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