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Would you recommend it?

We are thinking about it for ourselves plus dc 10 and 13.

Thanks.

Yes

Presuming that you mean a riceboat?
We did it with DC (then aged 9 and 11) - 24 hours on a riceboat in the backwaters. It was a great experience, especially when there was a huge storm! I would definitely recommend aircon - when we went at Easter time it was sooooooo humid!

I think I do mean a riceboat. backwaters anyway.
Worried the dc would get bored ...

We found that 24 hours was just the right amount of time, and DS is a very active kid The crew were lovely - we had all our meals on the boat and could get out and walk about a bit when it moored up (at least a couple of times) We booked ours on spec with the people we were staying with in Allepey.

What else are you planning to do? We had a lovely time travelling around - I'd be very happy to give you any more information!

Tilly we would love some more advice about where to go and what to do - thanks.

Well, <takes a deep breath>

Fly to Kochi

Stay at Beenas

Bus to Allepey

Stay at Palmy Lake Resort

Rice Boat - through owner of Palmy Lake

Back to Allepey Bus to Varkala

Stay at hotel there was called Preeth when we went

Train to Cottyam

We stayed at
GKs riverview which was fine, but relatively expensive - you night find something better

Bus to Peyriar

Stay at Chrissies

Taxi to Kochi

We ate out apart from at the homestays - gorgeous curries and fresh fish, but you can get pizzas and stuff if necessary! There was a great juice bar by the hotel in Varkala mmmmmm....

Just ask if I can help with anything else!

Wow Tilly - that's so helpful, thank you. How long did you go for. We are thinking of 2 1/2 weeks but I'm worried it's too long.

We went for 2 weeks - I'm sure 2 1/2 would be fine. We stayed at Easter and it was very humid, so swimming pools were a must! It was more breezy on the coast and in the mountains, but Cochi was very sticky. What time of year are you going?

I could give you ideas of what we did in those places to if you decide to go to any of them!

It was amazing. I got proposed to!

Yup - houseboat on the Allepey backwaters. Absolutely incredible! I was 24 and I went with my parents (in their 60s). It was a magical time.

We had a boat all to ourselves, with two lovely men doing the driving and cooking. Incredibley peaceful, sliding through the water, waving hello to kids on the banks, reading books, daydreaming.

Ahh do do it. I went through the backwaters in Kerala but not on a rice boat (went by local ferry - that was v interesting) but would love to.
Oh, I love Kerala. It's such a fabulous place. I really hope I can go back soon. Sigh.

Yes I've done that - we turned up and booked a day trip so that's another option

had a week in Kerala with my kids and my parents, and it was fantastic we had one night on a houseboat - other nights were at Spice Village and Coconut Lagoon, and Brunton Boatyard in Kochi - all from www.cghearth.com/ and all really nice, lovely staff, lots of character.

Oh, I loved Kerala! Did the boat and the beach at Kovalam was fabulous!

My tip is make sure your houseboat has an AC as it can be very humid, especially at night when you aren't moving. Kerala is great!

Ahhhhh Kerela! You lucky, lucky things. I'd love to go back. We loved the backwaters and had a great time on a riceboat for a day.

We stayed here at Kayaloram. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. A little slice of heaven.

I thought it was terribly dull, I'd recommend staying on the backwaters in a homestay (can recommend) and having small a small boat so you can tour the deserted tiny canals rahter than join the rice boat M25.

I would also say that kerala is really quite dull compared to northern India, it's ok if you just want to veg out for a week, but not much more than that. Varkala the sea is too rough to swim.

Oh, and should have said I was there with 14 yr old ds and 12 yr old dd.

We stayed at Chrissie's, BigTilly!

Backwaters are lovely for the day. Cochin is great for a couple of days. It's true the sea is too rough to swim in. We got a cheap package and travelled around by train. I'm not sure about the children. Have you looked into Goa?

We travelled from Goa to Kerela by train - but I'd rather be in Kerela any day than Goa. It's all gone a bit too Costa del Sol for me.

Anyone got any views as to which beach is better, Kovalam or Varkala?

Lonely Planet says Kovalam is a bit overdeveloped now - but there is the issue of not being able to swim at Varkala.

We are also going at Easter and would love more ideas of things to do. I know it will be hot ...

Varkala is fab if you are without children and happy to chill and smoke some very good weed. It's really lovely but it's a very long drop over the cliff and there's no fences!! If you go right down to the beach it's very holy and traditional. Every one swimming fully clothed. We got the train there from kovolam which is an option. Don't believe everything you read in the LP, how rural do you want it?

Katktya we will be with our dc, 10 and 13, so ganja is off limits for us sadly!

We would like to avoid too much tourist development if possible. But a balance with having a few facilities, places to eat - and a good beach not too crowded, and clean.