After experiencing the beauty and thrill of Kerala, we were next onto Aleppy back water cruise which is one of the surely to do things in Kerala. As planned, early in the morning our driver, Marcos was on time and did not give us any single opportunity to complain. He always had a good smile on his way all through the trip and today was nothing different. With an "Okay Sir Okay" attitude he was always prompt on any task.
So here we were on our way to Allepy boat cruise, our last Kerala activity before we leave for Pune. Marcos took us to a boat owner for negotiations and we were on the boat with the intentions of having a relaxed time. initially, the backwaters looked dirty and with all the dirt closing in at the shore and why not be with we humans not sparing anything be it land, air or in this case waters. The start was not as we expected, however we were under the hope All is well that ends well.
Our boat started taking us deep into the waters and as the water started surrounding us, we were starting to enjoy every moment of the boat ride. It was pleasure to see the life on the shores of the backwaters. There was everything in it, that we did by staying on land. The children playing all around, the women gossiping, men having a good chat or working hard to improve their boating skills, so that they win the next boat race tournament that may happen in their "in-water" society. Children making the most of the waters and playing hide and seek. They went under water to hide. The business man and shopkeepers were busy attracting customers by either giving a loud shout about the attractions or by displaying enticing banners outside their on the shore shops. It was just the same, as if they did not feel any barrier due to the water. The land might be a barrier for them, but not the water flowing. The water also did not interrupt the neighbor fights. The ladies were shouting on the top of their voices from one shore too another with our boat cannoying through the middle, i just hoped that we were not the targets just in case they decide to declare war against each other and flung coconuts across.
We also got to see the paddy fields, now you might wonder, where the hell did paddy fields come from when there is all water around. The Boatman told us in Malyali which Marcos translated for us that those are floating paddy fields and since paddy is a kharif crop and requires good water and hence is just the crop suited. No wonder, Malyali's eat a lot of rice in their day to day food.
Another wonderful thing during the cruise was the boat races we witnessed. Since it was Onam day, there were many activities all around, one of those was boat race tournaments. All hefty and strong men, flexed their muscles to be first and reach the finish line in record time. It was amazing piece of team work and coordination on display. Boat race is all about team work and single goal focus. One fellow cannoying a little slowly can make a difference of minutes in the final result. One thought ran through my mind. Aren't we all Indians as well cannoying in the same boat? Then why slow down our boat or rather progress, by dividing ourselves on the basis of Muslims, sikhs and fighting within us. It is like all people in a single boat are cannoying in many different directions equally and hence we feel we are progressing, however, we are still at the same position.
So here we were finally at the end of an enthralling trip and at the airport waiting for our fight to Pune. Thank you Kerala. Will visit you once more for sure!!!!
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