The Backwaters of Kerala

Kerala has been in the news this month for the battering and devastation wrought by the South West monsoon.

I spent a week visiting family in Kochi, two weeks before the full force of the monsoon was unleashed on the state.

We spent a most memorable day on the backwaters.  Overcast  monsoon skies, pleasant weather with a gentle breeze. Some flooding had already been experienced in Alleppey already but it was business as usual that day out on the backwaters. 

Heading down a canal to the enormous Vembanad freshwater lake.

Hundreds of houseboats line the banks of the canals. There's an Indian Oil petrol bunk if you please where the boats can fuel up. We got a bottle of toddy from Block 13. 

We were lucky to witness a snake boat team practise. Would be a spectacular sight to see the actual race. Wonder if there will be one this year.
The Vembanad lake itself is enormous.

Kerala is trying to get back on its feet. Please do your bit to help.
From what I have heard food and basic essentials have reached the affected but now going forward people with no insurance or savings who earned a daily wage have lost their homes and businesses. It must be a struggle.
We can make a difference if we buy from small businesses. Plants from the nurseries which line the highway close to Palghat and Trichur, stop to drink tea at a small tea stall or buy fruit which is in season from people who set up make shift stalls.The help is going to be required for sometime to come.
If you haven't taken a trip on a houseboat then I would highly recommend it and if you find yourself in Alleppey then go to John's umbrella shop. They make excellent umbrellas, I came away with four.