Allapey- finding peace and trying to see a larger picture.

Houseboat
see all photos »

I came to Allapey to photograph the backwaters. Imagine Holland in the tropics - a low lying country full of lakes and canals, where even the dry land is underwater as rice fields. In essence, it is miles and miles of canals with just small levies constituting dry land. From the air, it looks like a distorted chess board - every field full of water, just the borders are solid. Households are perched on the levies like birds on telephone wires – frankly, they have just as much room (some levies are two meters wide or less). The whole life revolves around water. People fish in the canals and kids swim there. Locals use their small canoes to go shopping across the lake. Old, rusty passenger ferries carry travelers across this landscape, and foreign tourists rent houseboats and watch all this life in amazement. Some canals are so small that one boat is all that can fit in them. Some canals are overgrown with water lilies and look like beautiful gardens. The place is serene and quiet. Music from local churches and Hindu temples carries across the water, adding to the charm. The water is warm and a swim during a hot afternoon is heavenly.

Morning Mist
see all photos »

I rented a houseboat and, together with a captain, a cook, and a mechanic, cruised the backwaters for three days.

Households are perched on the levies like birds on telephone wires

This place is so beautiful that you cannot help but feel peaceful. Having three days to myself in this scenery allowed me to do some soul-searching. Whether you come to Kerala alone or with friends, it will enchant you and you will not want to leave.