Green Kerala: Backwaters

The main attraction of our trip to Kerala was to go to the backwaters. The backwaters are a chain of lagoons and lakes parallel to the Arabian Sea that extend over half the length of Kerala state. The lagoons and lakes are fed by 38 rivers and are connected by over 900 km of canals, both manmade and natural.

It is one of India's most important tourist destinations and was placed among the `50 destinations of a lifetime' by National Geographic. It's easy to see why. The mix of salt and fresh water gives place to a very unique ecosystem, with many birds and fish. The waterways are lined with rice paddies and palm trees and small fishing villages.

In the cocoon-houseboat you glide along the quiet waterways, eating delicious food and drinking coconut water; you can swim, read, have good conversations; watch the sunset; look at the stars and fireflies in the night. It is incredibly beautiful and just what I needed for a birthday celebration.