This time we planned to one of the most visited tourist place of Kerala i.e., the beautiful backwaters of Alappuzha (also called Alleppey). It is described as the “Venice of the East”. It is famous for the Houseboat Cruise that can be booked and the boating races which takes place on 2nd Saturday of August every year. One can book the Houseboat and stay in it over the backwaters of Kerala.

    We started from Trivandrum in train in the morning to reach Alappuzha Railway Station after a 2.5 hours journey. There will be many tourist operators right from outside the station. One can get on a Government tourism houseboats or Private houseboats. The price varies the number of bedrooms required and AC. Price will be including Food as well as stay. Two types of cruise are present one is a complete day cruise i.e., 9 am to 6 pm and the other is night cruise i.e., 6 pm to 9 am. Since we reached in noon we took a tourist boat around the Vembanad Lake. The ride through the narrow backwaters into the huge lake was interesting. After this ride we were shifted into a 2 floored houseboat at about 5 pm. The boat has captain’s place, 4 bedrooms and kitchen in the ground floor and a long hall and colourful viewing deck on the top. 

    We freshed, got to the top which have sound system and started to enjoy the night. We can buy the fish and give it to the Kitchen for them to prepare. We were taken to an island and halted for the night. Next morning we went in the same boat on a trip around the backwaters and the lake. They dropped us at 9 am and we were back to Trivandrum on bus. These places are well connected with public transport. 

    It costed around 1500 per person for the complete trip.