There is a broad expanse of land which parallels the coast of Kerala for at least 100 miles that is criss-crossed with canals connecting lakes and rivers. Here the traditional mode of transport is of course boat, and one can take day or overnight cruises.

We arrived in Kottayam, which sits on the backwaters on Sunday. We took a room at a little guest house in the middle of nowhere. We wandered up and down the little rural road, and soon had a crowd of kids following us. They showed us the way to the shore of the lake. Then, since it is almost Christmas, they asked that we teach them a Christmas carol. Maryanne taught them “Jingle Bells”, and it was fun listening to the kids sing about snow in a place that probably hasn’t seen snow since the last ice age.
Kyle wanted very much to go for an overnight trip, and luckily our guest house owners had one available. The next day, which happened to be Kyle’s birthday, we headed out onto the backwaters of Kerala. The boat was very comfortable, and had two bedrooms and an open porch. We had three crew members to take care of us.
Our first stop was in the middle of a large lake. Here we went for a swim, and the crew scooped up handfuls of clams from the bottom. Here we were served lunch, and then we started sailing down large canals. Behind the walls that contained them were bright green rice paddies. It appears that the land here has been reclaimed much like in Holland.
That night we tied up at the corner of two canals, where a couple had a small store (and a cow to provide milk). Several other boats tied up next to us. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset, a delicious dinner and then went to bed.
Unfortunately, I became violently ill in the night. I was sick for all the next day, but managed the bus ride from the dock to Allepey, where we took a hotel room. In the end, it took me 2 1/2 days to fully recover, but I seem to be better now.