Alappuzha (also known as Alleppey) is famous for it’s waterways and backwaters and the best way to experience these is by boat. We hired a houseboat for a night and spent the afternoon sailing through the backwaters. It was a lovely relaxing experience waving at our fellow boaters, sipping chai and being cooked for by the onboard chef.

We sailed past rice paddy fields and villages perched on the banks of the water, with locals washing in the river.

The thali lunch (presented on a banana leaf) is a Keralan specialty which has fast become a favourite of mine and Craig’s. I learnt how to cook this at a later homestay in Kovalam. However, as soon as we moored the girls went off in search of non-curry snacks!

From Alleppey we caught a train to Kovalam which Phoebe has written about here.