Alappuzha

Next we were off to Alappuzha or Alleppey, same place but different names (a very Indian thing). After a very uncomfortable bus ride which felt like we were being slowly cooled over hot plates, (the seats were like iron rods) we arrived in Alappuzha. There wasn't anything to see in Alappuzha but this was the best place from which to hire a houseboat. This deep into the Kerelan backwaters the mosquitos were triple the size of their murderous northern cousins. Julie and I spent a good hour killing them all, sweet revenge and also giving the walls a new coat of paint.

The next day we had hired a houseboat for a full day and night tour of the backwaters. It came complete with three staff members (or minions as Jo liked to call them) and food/drink. After a lovely day crusing the waters on the sundeck we were to settle in for the night moored off an island. Having the slowest boat on the water, with literally every other boat passing us (brings back memories of Lake Havusu) meant it was night before the oarmen tried to manoever the boat between the reeds to the shore. By this time it was pitch black and the bugs were out in force. While waiting for our tea (a difficult task when again the staff don't understand anything your asking them) we sat and watched the fork lightening overhead lighting up the sky. All in all a great time minus the millions of bugs. Our next stop was a short bus ride down to the coastal town of Varkala, our first beach stop.