Up the Backwaters

So at last I go to see the famous backwaters of Kerala, a vast system of lakes, rivers, canals and ditches. Between these are huge areas of jungle, plantations of coconut palm, banana and pineapple. We started off in a mini-bus picking up a mixed bunch from various hotels, a young couple from Leeds on a long trip covering most of SE Asia, an older couple from Aus...... A bus ride of 40 minutes and we arrived at bridge over a canal and we disembarked. There was our traditional backwaters canoe at least 10 m long, 3m wide, covered with a superstructure of bamboo and palm thatch. Seats were arranger along the sides and our 2 `polesmen` each with his 5 meter bamboo pole made their way to each end. We were slowly propelled, very slowly and silently, down the shore, where the water is shallower and we get a better look. We continued for 1/2 hour and then sharp turn right into a channel all of 31/2m wide, the advantage of being punted is that you can navigate channels the same width as the boat. another 1/2 hour and we arrived at a village where the main activity seemed to be making coconut (coir) rope. Then on to a place where they made lime from shells, burning them with dried coconut husks, grinding, grading till pure lime is produced. I dont think, however that the health and safety inspecters had been to have a look! On to a well deserved lunch, a thali served on a banana leaf, rice, several veggie curries, a sauce for tthe rice, green mango chutney and yoghurt, followed by a sort of rice pudding made with pasta. We then transfered to a smaller canoe and were polled for a further hour down a stream no more than 2 meters wide. we passed by people`s huts and homes, washing clothes, themselves in the stream as we passed by, cameras at thhe ready. The stream was so narrow that the jungle closed over us and we silently slipped by, majic. We were all ready to head back to the bus, heat and sensory overload take their toll, another unforgettable day in God`s own Country.