KERALA HOUSEBOAT

KERALA HOUSEBOAT

The story of houseboats in Kerala is a delightful journey from being a routine vessel to becoming a tourist wonder. Here is that story in a nutshell. The history of Kerala houseboats goes a long back. Long before the Highways came into existence and railways lines became a reality, water bodies had been the transporting veins of Kerala. The now defunct Trivandrum - Shoranur Canal (or the TS canal) had been a busy channel that connected Kerala’s south with its north. Kerala Houseboat were a luxury that only the royals and the feudal rich can afford.

Certain communities in the ancient Kerala mastered the art of houseboat construction and kept their skill a closely guarded secret. They would pass it only to their next generation. As time went by, modernisation roared in and swept away water transport from mainstream travelling. Luckily, it still survives thanks to the tourist interest and local requirements. The construction of a houseboat is no longer the dark art that only a few possess. These days you see more houseboats in kerala than rickshaws in Kerala especially Alappuzha and Kumarakom!

House boat Structure

Still, high quality Kerala houseboats equipped all the modern amenities in a non-intrusive way are a rarity. Truly modern Kerala house boats preserve the traditional virtues and adapt to the modern needs.

A typical houseboat is about 80 feet long. It consists of wooden planks tied together by coir ropes. Believe it or not: no nails, nuts or bolts are used in the construction of a traditional houseboat. For making the structure last long, a covering layer of black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells is applied. Add the partition inside the boats with wood and the roofing done either with coconut leaves or with bamboo slices, you have your traditional Kerala houseboat ready.

The present-day moving palaces

Today’s Kerala houseboats are floating star hotels actually rooms houseboats booking than hotels at the season times . You can find almost any type of modern luxury or amenity inside the boats. And it offers something that no five star hotels can provide: the blissful feeling of being in the open and being in a private space at the same time. You will have only the stunning scenery of the Kerala country sides and timid ripples of backwaters for company. That is why Kerala houseboat packages have become a favourite choice of the just married and those seeking a second honeymoon.