The Backwaters of Kerala

We arrived to Ernakulam in the evening after a long 30 hour train ride from Mumbai. Ernakulam is the mainland city better known as Kochi. After checking a few hotels on the mainland, we took a fairy to Fort Kochin (a nearby peninsula) and found a beautiful new guest house. Fort Kochi was a great place to spend our short stay in Kerala.

A short ferry ride and hour long bus ride took us to this nice strech of white sand known as Cherrai Beach.

We found it quite interesting and perplexing that Kerala is somehow a communist state nestled in a Democratic India. We haven't yet found an explanation of how that works.

In addition to communism, Kerala also hosts the largest Christian community in India. Although we did see a few Hindu temples, this was the only place in India we saw numerous churches.

Since our time was short we opted for a guided tour of the backwaters. It started with a canoe ride through the narrow waterways of the local villages.

We met a local villager with a wonderful smile making rope from coconut fiber. We also enjoyed seeing how the locals make Toddy, a cocunut beer brewed right in the coconut tree.

After viewing some of the local vegetation, we were treated to a Keralan style lunch. The food was served on banana leaves and tasted amazing.

After lunch we changed out the small canoes for a larger boat (but still un-motorized).

We moved out of the narrow backwaters and into some bigger canals with great views. The boat had lound chairs and shade. With full bellies and comfy seats, it was all we could do to stay awake.

After the relaxing ride we got back in the canoes and headed back home.
Our stay was short but we had a great relaxing time and would love to come back for another visit to Kerala in the future.