Alleppey : The day passes reluctantly, as palm fronds wave sensuously in the wind and the sun plays with the water. This is Alleppey or Alappuzha, a district made unique by an intricate network of canals. Home to the coir industry, most of the boats on the canals are filled with huge bales of coconut fibre. But beyond those are the houseboats, villages afloat on the water, the seductive beauty of the water hyacinth and the huge rush of excitement as snake boats race towards the finish line in August and September. Drift reluctantly with the day and do not be surprised if you turn up in the quiet beauty of the Vembanad lake.

FOOD AVAILABLE : Eating Out

Coconut water is available almost everywhere. A thirst quencher and a sure adrenaline boost. Rs 13 for the coconut water with malai and Rs 10 for only water.
Banana chips are freshly fried and possibly the best thing to snack on. From pepper flavoured to the good old plain salted, there is a variety to choose from.

Restaurants >> Annapurna : Near Medical College ;

Tel: 0477-251930;

Fax: 0477-251931

This is an 'only vegetarian' restaurant.

Riaban : Near Medical College Hospital ; 688001

Tel: 0477-251930

Fax: 0477-251931

While this restaurant might not serve your standard idli and dosa, other South Indian dishes are on the menu. 

Accommodation  : Alappuzha Backwater Resorts

Punchiri Building,
Jetty road.

Pincode: 688011

Tel: 0477-260573

Fax: 0477-252918

Facilities include a massage centre, swimming pool and game room. The hotel offers an evening backwater cruise from 4 - 6.30 pm for Rs 250. Tariff: Double Rs 2,580, Single Rs 1,935.

Kayaloram Lake Resort

Alappuzha Backwater Resorts Private Limited,
Near Punnamada Jetty.

Pincode: 688006

Tel: 0477-232040

0477-231573

Fax: 0477-252918

Authentic Keralite cottages built in teakwood, and set in front of the lake, offer the complete Alappuzha experience. Facilities include a massage centre, restaurant, swimming pool and game room. You can ask the manager to arrange a boat cruise or pay for the use of the houseboat for a night. no television or air conditioning but the service is excellent and more than makes up for everything.
Tariff: Rs 1,900 - 2,500 or US $ 60.
The hotel offers a special off-season discount at Rs 2,000 a night inclusive of all three meals.

The Marari Beach Resort

Pincode: 688549

Tel: 0477-863801

Fax: 0477-863810

This is a Casino hotel and the accent here is on luxury, spread over 25 acres. The resort has been built in the style of a traditional fishing village with thatched villas. these are all air-conditioned with twin or double beds, a mini bar, coffee-making facilities, and a veranda with a ceiling fan. The rooms all have an open-air bathroom, and a private garden area.
The most luxurious bets here are the pool villas, which also have a private swimming pool. Other guests can use the huge pool and sun terrace, which is near the main buffet restaurant. There's a beach shack that serves seafood and an ayurveda centre. For the energetic, there's a volleyball court and bicycles on offer. For the lazy, there's beach cots and hammocks.
Tariff: December 21 to January 20, 2001.
American Plan Rs 4,600 (garden villa, single occupancy), Rs 5,300 (garden villa, double occupancy), Rs 8,500 (pool villa, single occupancy), Rs 9,000 (pool villa, double occupancy)
January 21, 2001 to March 31, 2001.
Rs 6,100 (garden villa, single occupancy), Rs 6,800 (garden villa, double occupancy), Rs 11,000 (pool villa, single occupancy). Rs 12,000 (pool villa, double occupancy).
Extra person: Rs 1,200.
Luxury Tax: 15 per cent extra.

Getting Into Kerala - Alleppey/Alappuzha :

           Air  : The nearest airport is at Kochi. The airport is around 45 minutes from Kochi city, which is 98 km from Alappuzha. From here you will need to make travel arrangements to take a car that will get you to Alappuzha. The distance is around 98 km.

           Rail :  If you are taking the train to Alappuzha, your best bet is Allappuzha railway station. From here it is 9 km to the boat jetty.
However you can also get here from Ernakulam. It takes two hours to reach Alappuzha on this route. You can also go to Kochi railway station and take a train to Alappuzha; the distance is roughly 68 km.

         Boat : Take one of the backwater boat trips to and from Kollam and Kottayam. You can even hire a boat from Kochi to Alappuzha. It takes around 2½ hours. There is no regular service but you can hire a boat after some haggling.

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