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When we started our trip to the backwaters of Kerala, in all the travel books we had read, area around the backwaters was referred to as the “Venice of the East.” Till we reached Kollam and explored it, we were finding this comparison exaggerated. Our visit to Kollam changed our complete perception about these backwaters.

In my guidebook, half-day trip to the Monroe Island, organized by DTPC was suggested. DTPC office is situated near the bus-stand in Kollam. I booked the trip in the morning. When I enquired about the number of co-passengers we should expect, I was told that in general booking for around 8-10 couples was done. When we reached at the assembly point after lunch we were surprised to know that on that day ours was the only family interested in the trip.

On normal days a mini-bus goes from Kollam to Monroe Island, on that day they apologized and arranged an auto-rickshaw. On the one hand, we were happy that fewer tourists meant less crowd and we could request for slight changes in the itinerary according to our liking. On the other hand, lack of tourist interest lowered our expectation and suggested that this tour had lost favor among tourists.

Monroe Island is at a distance of around 25 Km from Kollam. At Monroe Island our guide Sujith and rower RadhaKrishanji received us. The name “Monroe Island” might arouse in some readers’ minds memories of Marlyn Monroe. I am not aware of the origin of such a name for this island. However, let me assure you that the Island was as beautiful.

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As we strolled in the market of Kumily, scent of freshly cut spices, sold in every nook and corner of this small town increased our urge to visit one of the many spice plantations on the outskirts. Our guided tour to the kingdom of spices offered us the sight of lush green vegetation and the smell of aromatic air.

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Kerala backwater is a bewildering labyrinth of waterways, composed of lagoons, lakes, rivers, rivulets, canals, streams and salty seawater. This complex crisscrossing network of brackish lagoons and lakes lie parallel to the Arabian sea coast of the Kerala. It is made up of five large lakes interconnected by numerous canals both man made and natural, fed by 38 rivers. The backwaters are formed as a result of waves creating a short barrier across the mouths of many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghat range. Kerala has around 900 Km of interconnected waterways that make up the backwaters.

Backwaters – the lifeline of the people around are also paradise for the tourists. Traveling in backwaters give glimpses of rural Keralite life style that is completely hidden from the roads. Our plan was to move from Thekkady to Kottayam or Kumarakom and then to cruise from there to Alleppey. Most of the local people and cruise operators discouraged us from going to Kumarakom. Finally we settled for the cruise from Kottayam to Alleppey. Getting an opportunity to cruise through the shimmering backwaters was like a dream about to come true.

We wanted to hire the houseboats. Houseboats or the Kettuvallams (boat with knots) as they are called are the main attraction of these backwaters. Traditionally these boats were used as grain barges to transport the rice grown in the fertile land of backwaters to far-flung areas. Sometimes it took sailors/businessman around 4-5 days and sometimes even a week to move from one place to another. They seldom get time to stop in between and to have their meals. It was a matter of pride and required plenty of culinary skills to cook what was found fresh in the backwater. At some point of time these rice boats were even used by royalty as their living quarters.

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Jungle attracts both Jaishree and me. Even during our non-holiday times we hear Jungle calling us. The images of wild terrain float in our eyes. This romance with Jungle and wild life started with our honeymoon in Bandipur. After that this affair is never ending. I was showing photographs of our Bandipur trip to my friend Avinash Dubey and his wife Bhavna, and both of them came with the same question, “Have you been to Thekkady”? So when we planned our Kerala trip, next destination from Munnar was Thekkady.

Thekkady is situated in the lap of scented cardamom hills. It is India’s largest and most visited wildlife sanctuary that is spread over an area of around 777 sq Km. In 19^th century the area around Thekkady was found quite suitable for Tea/Coffee Plantation. The rapid increase of the plantation alarmed King of Travancore and to prevent his favorite hunting ground from encroachments he declared this area as reserve forest. According to another Legend the killing of an elephant by a British soldier made Maharaja of Travancore very sad. He realized the significance of conservation and turned the forests around the lake into a sanctuary in 1934 and christened it as Nellikkampetty sanctuary. In 1978 this sanctuary was declared as part of Project tiger and now it is also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve.

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