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10. - 20.02.2013 Alleppey
Slowly, our journey is coming to an end and the return flight to cold and snowy Germany is getting closer...
This is why we came up with something special to end our trip beautifully and relaxed: We went to Alleppey to charter our own houseboat, captain and chef included, to explore the famous backwaters of Kerala. For 2 days we slowly cruised along the branched waterway network, which consists of 29 major lakes and lagoons, 44 rivers, and a total of approximately 1.500 kilometers of canals. We observed life along the waterways, which consists of countless water birds, water snakes and locals washing their clothes, bathing and fishing in the river. All along the shore people live right next to the water, but we hardly saw any roads, instead, everything, like goods and people, is transported by boat. Furthermore, people breed ducks here and we could see flocks of thousands and thousands of ducks, which are herded by their floating "shepherds" along the waters to forage for food. All in all, we were lazily lying on the boat all day long, observing the environment, and our chef spoiled us with the most delicious food three times a day. Just gorgeous!
After this houseboat trip, we spent a few days at the beach of Alleppey in Mandala Beach House (greetings to the friendly team Jay and Su) to say our goodbyes to the sea. The hot midday hours we spent sipping fresh lime soda lying in a hammock in the shade, in the mornings and evenings we went swimming and I (Sonja) had the great luck to see dolphins swimming in the sea. Unfortunately, Olli was too slow rising from his hammock to see them. And you won't believe it, our next room neighbor was Isaac Newton from Berlin with his wife Daniela (also greetings to them). For the grand finale we were lucky to have the opportunity to experience an exhibitionist at the beach... Yay!
Finally, with a last sunburn as souvenir, we took the train back to Kochi to board our flight back home. After 10 months on the road and countless adventures, new experiences and encounters in most different countries and cultures, it is somehow quite difficult to return home... But finally, we are able again to drink tap water and have a proper shower and toilet! And you won't believe how wonderful it is to see snow after three quarters of a year with heat above 30°C!