Day 10 - Wednesday 13th February 2019
Ferry to Alleppey
Following a three day stay in Kollam, it was time to move on.
Our homestay host transported us in his tuk tuk to the ferry terminal for the eight-hour journey to Alleppey/Alappuzha. We had looked at the alternatives of train and bus, but decided this gentle transport would be a more enjoyable method of getting there.
The boat was relatively empty, so there was the option of siting upstairs, or down, and of moving from one to another. Lying across three seats for the afternoon siesta was also an option.
No need to book tickets - just pay on board.
There were no announcements, so knowing where we were at any given moment was not easy. I think I got the route more or less correct.
The food stops were good. We took the offered meal, but several chose not to, and also the very welcome tea at the second stop.
The engine noise was intrusive, though after six hours, it became less noticeable.
On arrival at Alleppey ferry terminal, we hired a tuk tuk to take us to the Alasr Homestay.
The service starts at 10.30 A.M. on all days from Kollam & Alappuzha. A pleasure trip through the waves of the famous lakes viz. Vembanad, Kayamkulam & Ashtamudi etc. and also through narrow canals at the lowest rate offering the tourists maximum enjoyment of the entire scenic beauty of Kerala.
The boat passes through Kavanadu, Pallikkodi, Chavara and Kovilthottam, Kayamkulam Jetty and Aayiramthengu, to reach Amrithapuri, where the "ASRAMAM" of Matha Amrithanantha Mayi, who is worshiped worldwide by many devotes is visible. Amrithapuri is a sacred place, blending natural beauty with the metaphysical thoughts of mankind, reducing great spiritual pleasure.
[Note: I may have got some of these locations in the wrong order!}
Ferry to Alleppey
Following a three day stay in Kollam, it was time to move on.
Our homestay host transported us in his tuk tuk to the ferry terminal for the eight-hour journey to Alleppey/Alappuzha. We had looked at the alternatives of train and bus, but decided this gentle transport would be a more enjoyable method of getting there.
The boat was relatively empty, so there was the option of siting upstairs, or down, and of moving from one to another. Lying across three seats for the afternoon siesta was also an option.
No need to book tickets - just pay on board.
There were no announcements, so knowing where we were at any given moment was not easy. I think I got the route more or less correct.
The food stops were good. We took the offered meal, but several chose not to, and also the very welcome tea at the second stop.
The engine noise was intrusive, though after six hours, it became less noticeable.
On arrival at Alleppey ferry terminal, we hired a tuk tuk to take us to the Alasr Homestay.
Tourist Boat Service Between Kollam & Alappuzha
The service starts at 10.30 A.M. on all days from Kollam & Alappuzha. A pleasure trip through the waves of the famous lakes viz. Vembanad, Kayamkulam & Ashtamudi etc. and also through narrow canals at the lowest rate offering the tourists maximum enjoyment of the entire scenic beauty of Kerala.
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Views from the ferry
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One of several canalside churches
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The journey continues through Pallana, Kumarakodi, where the famous Malayalam Poet and Revolutionary Kumaranashan who helped to bring in great changes in the Social System of the state met with his tragic death in the capsizing of Boat "REDEEMER". The land of Coir and Coir Products namely Trrikunnappuzha is the other destination of the journey.
The ferry then proceeds through the River Pallathruthy to Kavalackal Village Jetty at Chembassery, Kuttanadu Agricultural lands and tourists huts on river banks etc. are the sights at this place. The statue of "KARUMADIKUTTAN" on the river bank, which is supposed to be the Statue of Lord Budha is another tourist attraction of the place.
The ferry then proceeds through the River Pallathruthy to Kavalackal Village Jetty at Chembassery, Kuttanadu Agricultural lands and tourists huts on river banks etc. are the sights at this place. The statue of "KARUMADIKUTTAN" on the river bank, which is supposed to be the Statue of Lord Budha is another tourist attraction of the place.
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Bath time!
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One of several houseboats
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The journey into Alappuzha takes the Tourists to Punnamads Canal, where the world famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted, the training centre of the Sports Authority of Inda (SAI), Lake Vembanad and then to the jetty "Mangalassery". If alighted at Mangalassery Jetty, the place whee the sacred river Pampa joins Lake Vembanad, paddy farming places below sea level and the MOTOR BASE (Motor Thara) used for sucking out water from the paddy fields etc. can be seen.
On arrival, we quickly found a tuk tuk to take us our homestay, the Alasr. It took sometime for the owner to come, and then he bundled us into his car saying we had been moved to another of his properties. We had chosen the Alasr carefully, and so I was very disappointed at this turn of events.
The new place seemed not to have as much character, but we were shown into a large comfortable room and made welcome. Tharavad promotes itself as a 'resort', but apart from bedrooms, has nothing else to offer.
The new place seemed not to have as much character, but we were shown into a large comfortable room and made welcome. Tharavad promotes itself as a 'resort', but apart from bedrooms, has nothing else to offer.
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| Tharavad Homestay |
The staff, who appeared to live on-site, were friendly and helpful, and so my feeling became positive quite quickly.
We walked to the seafront, about a kilometer, along some poorly llt streets, but felt quite safe, and there found an excellent restaurant, one of the very few we did find with an alcohol license. It was also the only place where we had to wait for a table to become vacant. A good sign, I thought - and so it proved.
We returned to our room, which was furnished, as was the rest of the house, with period furniture, and retired.
