Wednesday, September 28, 2005

venice of the east


though i haven seen the venice of the west, indeed was drenched by the abundant water in the venice of the east, landed here from kumarakoam.. a 5 rupee ferry trip across the vembanand lake wud land u at muhamma, from where u can board a bus to allepy. arrived jus in time to catch the sunset at the waveless allepy beach which had a very ancient pier runnin into the sea the sand was white and clean.


the next day took a local ferry from the jetty in the town to nedumudy which again cost a 5 rupee, on the way could have a boat view experience of how people lived their mornings on the edge of the backwaters, so it was indeed a long journey thru the bacwaters of the very picturisque kuttanad region, also came across many a house boats with newly weds and phirangi log. the ferry stopped here there and everywhere,
its crew comprised the driver who was seated above us at the steering, a conductor, a gear specialist with numerous meters in fronta him though he was more immersed in the morning edition of the local newspaper. kerala is more literate than any other state in the country which also rolls out a good number of malayalam news dailies, so you can find a lot of local people debating over various issues over a cup of tea at the equally numerous tea shops.
finally we arrived at nedumudy, from where again we took a bus back to allepy to board yet another bus to ambalapuzha, where rested the karumadi kuttan(a half buddha statue) on the way we witnessed a presentation of the various fights of kalaripayattu.
after checkin out the statue we returned back to allepy to take a government organised backwater trip for 50 rupees at 4.30 to watch the sunset admist the very green fields of kuttanad, indeed it was a sight spectacular, sadly had no batteries on my cam to capture those moments, addin to the picture were rain drops which ushered in to make it all the more perfect...

thus we arrived back at the jetty again

there are various ferry trips operated from the allepy boat jetty to various places in kuttand, also there is this 3hour trip to kottayam which operates regulary thru the day from 7.30 in the morning to 5.30 in the evening,


the ride truly is worth it for a ticket fare of jus rs 10. u get to see some of the most amazing locales and various local activities all the way thru. also this is the only place in the world where u can find cultivation being done 1.5 to 2 meters below the sea level which is actually the 'rice bowl of kerala', the very picturisque kuttanad



photos:
1,7,8. views on the ferry trip to nedumudy wit the green paddy fields
2. sunset in allepy beach, pier visibl
3. the gear handler wit his mornin paper
4. the half buddha statue
5. one of the fights of kalaripayattu
6. fisherman with his net

(above) a school along the backwater, view from the ferry

6 comments:

Unknown said...

The moments are beautifully captures.. have been to the backwaters twice already in less than a year.. and seems like will keep going back for more.. :)

Mridula said...

My my, that sunset is smashing indeed. After reading your post, I have to make it to Kerela sooner rather than later. And I too would prefer to skip the five star route, and your post tells me it is doable! Enjoyed your post.

anup keerrthi said...

oh thanx mridula, yea it is indeed yet another shade of the very diversed country, u dont seem to blog lately, also wil be postin bout kumarakoam and boat race i witnessed too.

@sumit,
here if at all i had the time :-) but since i learn ur based in kozikode u can always

Anonymous said...

goodness gracious me!wata splendid place it looks to be!to say the least its simply awesome!..shud sooner than later, make it to kerala and witness these to get the feel better!..neways a job very well done mate, to actually gimme the feelin of being thr with u!..

Crystal said...

Those photos are amazing! Very picturesque! I love love love to travel, and hopefully I can visit India oneday too.

anup keerrthi said...

@crystal
yeah do make it to india, its a continent in itself, u c such diversity