India: Day 8 (Part 1)

July 21, 2010

This day was the kind of day that makes you feel like you are the luckiest person alive to be exploring the world.  Everything about it was simply perfect.  Kochi has been nicknamed the “Venice of the East” and we were going to be finding out why on a cruise of the Alleppey backwaters.

Once we arrived at Alleppey, which was about an hour’s drive from Fort Cochin, we boarded a houseboat that was formerly a rice barge used for transporting goods from isolated villages to the towns.

The backwaters are a series of rivers and canals along the Kerala coastline.  It is one of the very few places on earth where farming is done below sea level.  I knew that it was going to be a serene ride, but I had no idea just how stunning the scenery would be along the way.  Alleppey is a haven to migratory birds and is fringed by palms and patty fields.  Life there revolves around the water.  Children are raised to learn how to swim before they walk and how to row a boat before riding a bicycle.  My idea of Paradise!

Where would the houseboat take us next. . .

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Andi Perullo de Ledesma

I am Andi Perullo de Ledesma, a Chinese Medicine Doctor and Travel Photojournalist in Charlotte, NC. I am also wife to Lucas and mother to Joaquín. Follow us as we explore life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time.

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44 thoughts on “India: Day 8 (Part 1)

  1. Pingback: Tweets that mention My Beautiful Adventures » Blog Archive » India: Day 8 (Part 1) -- Topsy.com

  2. Emily

    These pictures! Your photos are always amazing, but these really impressed me I think because they reminded me of Kyle’s Amazon pictures, and I didn’t know that India had this kind of scenery. What a beautiful place.

    Reply
  3. Annie

    The idea that you learn to drive a boat before a car was the thing I loved so much about Venice, and this is so cool. The same idea but in a different country and representing a different culture. A must-see for me!

    P.S. Good song choice!

    Reply
  4. Teresa

    What a simple kind of place! I agree with Annie; I loved the boats in Venice. The photos are amazing. One day, I have to see India. I had my heart set on a travel contest a few years ago and not winning made me obsess with Kerala!

    Reply
  5. Ted Nelson

    There is nothing quite like a peaceful day on a boat. These photos are getting me psyched for my week canoe trip in the Canadian wilderness in three weeks. As always the photos are superb. Like the egret pictures and the wildflowers along the river.

    Reply
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  7. Erin

    The backwaters of Kerala are our favourite place in the world. People think of India as stressful but this part is so chilled out and relaxed. We stayed at a village homestay on an island with no roads and we have never been more blissed out! A highlight was a moonlit canoe road with our host serenading us with folk songs. Glad you enjoyed it to.

    Reply
  8. Suzy

    Gorgeous photos as always Andi! It’s pretty remarkable kids learn to swim before they walk there! Loved being a part of your experience too with images and sound. Great idea!

    Reply
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  11. Nancy Bartosz

    Oh, Andi! I am still enjoying reading your posts about India. Kochi looks like a wonderful place and a great incentive to return to India. It will take me time to catch up on your adventures, but it’s so much fun!
    : ) Nancy

    Reply

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