Kerala Backwaters Cruise: Overnight Houseboat Experience

When visiting Kerala, it is a must to cruise along its famous Backwaters. I’m quite sure majority of the bloggers I was with were looking forward to this unique experience and honestly, I consider it as the main attraction of the Kerala Blog Express!

Cruising along the Backwaters of Kerala in India
Cruising along the Backwaters of Kerala in India

Right after a luxurious stay in WelcomRaviz Ashtamudi, we did a short tour in the fish port area though we were supposed to visit the other tourist spots of Kollam. We skipped the original itinerary due to the lack of time.

We were distributed to three different companies. Some houseboats hosted two people but most have three. I was happy upon learning that I will share the houseboat with two of my closest friends in this trip: Maria from Greece and Marky from the Philippines. Marky, Maria and Mica. Triple M for the win! πŸ˜€

We bid temporary goodbye to our fellow travel bloggers as we reach Alleppey. Rainbow Cruises served as our host for this one-of-a-kind experience. I love the fact that they gave us umbrellas with a cool houseboat & rainbow design as souvenirs!

Our tour started at around 1:30PM. I was stunned upon learning that the houseboat have three spacious rooms with individual bathrooms! Add the fact that we also have ACΒ in every room!

Cruising along the Backwaters of Kerala in India
My room in the houseboat
Cruising along the Backwaters of Kerala in India
Each room has individual bathrooms
Cruising along the Backwaters of Kerala in India
This shower has hot and cold water option!

Every houseboat has its own character. I loved ours because it retains the authentic feel. If it was a super modern houseboat, I’d rather go on a mediterranean cruise with a romantic lover.

Four staff members made sure our stay will be a relaxing and comfortable one. We were exchanging stories by the time we stepped in the boat! The cook was busy preparing for our late lunch by the time we arrived.

Here’s what we ate for lunch:

Cruising along the Backwaters of Kerala in India
Lunch feast prepared by our boat staff. Reminds me of the Loboc River Cruise but in a more personal manner.

Though I originally planned to sleep that afternoon, we end up exchanging stories about Greece, Philippines and India. Never a dull moment with these two!

Cruising along the Backwaters of Kerala in India
If only I can cruise along the backwaters every afternoon..

The Kerala Backwaters reminds me of the rivers of Dagupan City. My hometown once introduced the Dawel River Cruise, where locals and tourists can cruise along the rivers of the city for free. The concept of the cruising houseboat would be good in the future. We can do something similar too! πŸ˜€ For most Filipinos though, it will remind them of the Loboc River Cruise of Bohol.

Cruising along the Backwaters of Kerala in India
Marky and Maria can’t help but take photos and appreciate this once-in-a-lifetime trip

This afternoon siesta tour made us realize how important it is to disconnect from the online world. All we did was drink coffee, exchange stories, wave and shout ‘hello’ to our neighbors, take pictures and appreciate the simple life.

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters
Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

Being exposed to the rural life every once in a while is good for your body, mind and soul. It makes one ponder on what is the difference of needs and wants? Why are the people in this side of Kerala happy with the simple life?

Cruising along the Backwaters of Kerala in India

Cruising along the Backwaters of Kerala in India

We did a short stopover in a village where food and souvenir items are sold.

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters
Donna checking the items for sale
Cruising the Kerala Backwaters
To buy or not to buy?
Cruising the Kerala Backwaters
The lovely sun hiding behind the coconut trees

Reunited with some of our Rainbow Cruises bloggers for sunset. Ah, perfect!

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters
TRIPLE M – Just when I thought I took a solo selfie :))
Cruising the Kerala Backwaters
Rice Paddies
Cruising the Kerala Backwaters
Beautiful, isn’t it?
Cruising the Kerala Backwaters
The famous Kerala Backwaters Sunset <3

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

What a moment of bliss.

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters
In the middle of Backwaters and the Rice Paddies

While waiting for dinner to be served, we played a game wherein we have to sing a happy song in our mother tongue. I planned to sing a Sexbomb girls song, but I end up singingΒ THISΒ πŸ˜› See what Alleppey houseboats can do to you!

Dinner on the houseboat + White Wine
Dinner on the houseboat + White Wine

Our dinner feast is special not just because of the food, white wine and more thoughts about life. You know, the type of conversations that take place whenever one is feeling happy and tipsy πŸ˜› I’m glad there were no Karaoke machines in the area or else I might have belted one of Jessie J’s songs in no time.

By 10PM we were already in our respective rooms. After a warm night bath, we retired in my queen bed. I really had a good night sleep! I didn’t expect that, really.

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

I woke up at 6:30AM and we had a hearty breakfast by 7AM. The cruise along the backwaters is about to end and I’m not yet ready… nobody is.

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

I would like to thank our boat crew from Rainbow Cruises for the interesting trivias, good food and hospitality. Highly recommended!

Cruising the Kerala Backwaters

It is hard to say goodbye to ‘Glory’, but we have to leave and move on with the next activity.

But before that, let’s take a jumpshot!

Mica, Maria and Marky after the 'glorious' stay in Rainbow Cruises' Glory Houseboat! Thank you! | Photo by Jinson Abraham
Mica, Maria and Marky after the ‘glorious’ stay in Rainbow Cruises’ Glory Houseboat! Thank you! | Photo by Jinson Abraham

^ Please watch this short video I made about our afternoon cruise along the Kerala Backwaters πŸ™‚

Special thanks again to Rainbow Cruises for the memorable experience! This trip is part of the Kerala Blog Express 2.


8 Comments

  1. Ada Wilkinson said:

    The Triple M! OMG!! HAHA! You’re right! Kerala Backwaters reminded me of Loboc River Cruise (and the memories we had in Bohol, gosh I miss it).

    I got startled with the BOOMPANES song. I thought the link would direct me to a Spice Girls song.

    P.S.
    Great post Badet!!! This makes me want to visit India ASAP.

    June 12, 2015
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      I miss our Bohol trip too! We were’t able to visit the other spots or even do an island hopping tour. Let’s plan another trip!

      You must join Kerala Blog Express 3! Go Go go! πŸ˜€

      June 16, 2015
      Reply
  2. nadia said:

    My colleague’s family, who are from Kerala, owns such boat and they keep inviting me over. I’ve kept on postponing the trip thinking it is a tad boring, but looks like I might reconsider.

    Thanks for this delightful post! You look absolutely relaxed and happy πŸ™‚

    June 15, 2015
    Reply
    • Senyorita said:

      Wow you should go! It’s not boring at all. It is nice to disconnect from time to time and the fact that you can stay overnight with AC and full board meals is a big plus πŸ˜€

      Thanks for the compliment Nadia! πŸ˜€ Will wait for your Kerala trip post πŸ˜›

      June 16, 2015
      Reply
  3. shi said:

    Nice Blog.. thanks for sharing

    September 1, 2015
    Reply
  4. tony said:

    nice article. thanks for sharing.

    January 7, 2016
    Reply
  5. Boots said:

    WOW ! AWESOME ! VERY ENTERTAINING. ANOTHER VERY GOOD JOB. THANK YOU VERY MUCH SENYORITA.

    August 31, 2016
    Reply

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