Alappuzha (Alleppey)-Backwaters in a Houseboat

The helm of our houseboat, and Stretch wasn't the captain!

(I loved all the electronics...none...just the wheel, shift & throttle....SGD)

Isn't she a beauty. Our boat was really simpler than many, with fans and mosquito netting, not glass windows with air conditioning. Still we felt quite regal as we had the whole boat to ourselves  with a staff of 3 waiting on us.

This was our cook, Bennie. The food he made was superb. I had been hearing about how Kerala food used more spices rather than sauces in their dishes and was delighted with it all. Bennie was amused with how I raved about the cabbage dish, but offered to teach me how to make it the next morning.  Really simple actually - you just have to have the right fresh ingredients!

House boats parked everywhere along the backwater channels
Peaceful cruising .....SGD

Despite what Stretch is always saying...I can kick back and relax.
(it only lasts for about 3 minutes-SGD)

Off to work in the rice paddies....all the canals are higher than
the rice paddies for good irrigation and potential big time flooding. SGD

hard paddling in the salad SGD

Duck farming was a lucrative business to be in among the backwaters. It was such a surprise to both of us that the ducks weren't flying away to avoid these huge tight flocks. The only explanation we got was this breed wasn't much for flying. They were herded into the rice paddies to eat the stubble after harvest, and fertilize the ground for future rice planting.  

The umbrella hat was standard issue with the canoe ride, although Stretch  didn't  don his . But it was all the style in the rice paddies, so I fit right in. (naturally my head was too fat ..SGD)