Alleppey backwaters- The Venice of Asia

the canals of Alleppey

their sustainably made houseboats

The canals of Alleppey (south of Cochin- Kerala)-
on the Arabian Sea-
are quite a lovely respite from the o-too-much- India.
Their history is one of creation + commerce+ comfort in nature.

The professions of the people who live there reflect the region and lifestyle.  There are the "mud divers": actually the men who created these canals by building the small islands; where the inhabitants live in small villages. There are also the coconut climbers who gather the coconut for all  its important uses; including coir- a rather large industry of rope/matting/building material (from the inner fibers of the outer Green Shell).  There are shimmering  rice paddies, hence the farmers....who  employ an irrigation "specialist" for the complicated schedule of water release (from the canals).

Ducks getting to WORK...... swimming to the paddies

village life

transportation for everything and everyone

no traffic/honking out here!

washing anyone?

I do wish there were a movement to adopt "organic practices" for the rice paddies. (my intrepid colleagues felt this should be my next volunteer work!)
All the run-off into the canals..... need I say they bathe, swim, drink, defecate,
wash dishes, and travel by engine boats all in these delicate systems preserving a singular way of life.  Not to mention all the waterfowl.....and fauna.

All of that said.....I would say that a visit to the Backwaters of Kerala and staying in a wonderful homestay (we did yoga together with the father) was a highlight of the tour.  Very Unique, indigenous and beautiful.  Rising to the sounds of nature on the canals as the sun made its entry and its reverse at the end of the day was life ......making way for a reflective inner journey and external landscape.

India and her diversity.







travelin' woman