boat cruise

Alappuzha (Allepey), Kerala: Overnight Kettuvallam (Houseboat) Cruise [SP]

Posted on May 7, 2014

Spending a night or several days cruising the backwaters is one of the best experiences in Kerala When it comes to backwaters tourism, all roads lead to Alappuzha – also known by its colonial name of Allepey – a district consisting of a large network of inland canals, earning it the nickname “Venice of the East”. For centuries, these waterways were the lifeline of the trading outpost, with kettuvallams transporting rice and spices between settlements, until roads became a moreRead More→

Kottayam, Kerala: Shikara (Canoe) Cruise in Kumarakom Backwaters

Posted on May 6, 2014

Cruising down Kavanar River in Kumarakom. Photo by Pinay SoloBackpacker After our lunch cruise of Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, the Kerala Blog Express team was excited to explore more of the state’s scenic backwaters! Our bus then took us to Kumarakom, a village in the district of Kottayam that’s known for its backwater tourism.  Riding a shikara (traditional canoe) provides a more intimate experience of Kerala’s backwaters Compared to cruising in a kettuvallam (traditional houseboat), one can have a moreRead More→

Cruise and Cycle in Putrajaya, Malaysia [SP]

Posted on November 4, 2013

Take a sunset boat cruise around Putrajaya Lake! Want to take a refreshing break from hectic Kuala Lumpur? Take a side trip to the administrative center of Putrajaya, located only 25 km south of the capital. A planned city built around a man-made lake, Putrajaya evokes the organized atmosphere of Singapore or the quietness of Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei Darussalam. The city was named after the first Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra. In Malay and Sanskrit, the words putra or putera meansRead More→