I’m participating in the #AtoZBloggingChallenge 2016 with the theme – Pins on the Map of my Memory – which is about places that bear a special connection with me for reasons mostly personal!
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V for Vembanad
At a short distance from Kochi on the West of Kumarakom, a vast network of rivers and canals empty into a great expanse of water that forms the Vembanad Lake, the largest in the state of Kerala!
Located in the heart of the Kerala Backwaters, with hundreds of kettuvallams plying on it and numerous resorts on its banks, this beautifully serene lake is an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourism destination, which provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences for thousands of tourists every year.
The lake is bordered by Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts. Situated at sea level, it is divided into two halves by a saltwater barrier and one can see the difference between the brackish and the fresh water. Just cruising along the lake can make your trip worthwhile, as you can see parts of all the three districts which surround the lake.
The one time when this serene lake becomes the hub of all action is during Onam when the spectacular snake boat races take place. It is indeed amazing to watch oarsmen, at least a hundred in one boat, slice their way through the waters to the fast rhythm of their own full-throated singing.
If you fancy a cruise in the cool waters of this placid lake and a stay in a houseboat to enjoy the heavenly views around, while dining on freshly cooked ethnic dishes, then this is the perfect place for you. There couldn’t be a better time than September to March to put your feet up and enjoy a perfect break.