THE BACKWATERS  
Fringing the coast of Kerala and winding far inland is a complex network of lagoons, lakes, rivers, and canals. These backwaters are both the basis of a distinct lifestyle and a fascinating thoroughfare. Traveling by boat along the backwaters is one of the highlights of a visit to Kerala. The boats cross shallow, palm-fringed lakes studded a with cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, and travel along narrow, shady canals where coir (coconut fiber), copra (dried coconut meat) and cashews are loaded onto boats.
          Stops are made at small settlements where people live on narrow spits of land only a few metres wide. Though practically surrounded by water, they still manage to keep cows, pigs, chickens, and ducks and cultivate small vegetable gardens. On the more open stretches of canal, traditional boats with huge sails and prows carved into the shape of dragons drift by. The sight of three or four of these sailing towards you in the late afternoon sun is unforgettable.
  The most popular backwater trip is the eight-hour voyage between Kollam and Alappuzha. The regular ferry service on this route has been suspended for some timed due to a canal blockage at the Kollam end, but faster and cheaper buses were already eating into the traffic on this long route. Tourist boats are, however, more popular than ever. They are daily services operated by both the private Alleppey Tourist Development Coop (ATDC) and by the state government District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC).   Two stops are made along the way, a midday lunch stop and a brief afternoon chi stop. Ayiramthengu or the coir village of Thrikkunnappuha are popular stopping places. The crew have and ice box full of fruit, soft drinks and beer to sell, although you might want to bring along additional refreshments and snacks. Bring sunscreen and a hat as well; sitting on the roof is pleasant, but the sun really burn. The boat pauses to drop visitors off at the Mata Amritanandamayi Mission at Amirtapuri. This is the residence and headquarters of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, one of India’s very few (but in this case very much revered) female gurus. Visitors should dress conservatively and there is a strict code of behavior that all visitors are expected to adhere to. The trip also passes the Kumarakody Temple where the noted Malayalam poet Kumaran Asan drowned. Close to Alappuzha, there’s glimpse of the 11^th –century Karumadi Kuttan Buddha image close to the canal bank.