There is poetry and romance associated with backwaters, and there is no other destination in the whole of India that is better suited for a nice break than one of the backwater resorts in Kumarakom. Book yourself into one of the Kumarakom restaurants, and you will come back refreshed and all set to take on the battles of everyday life!
A backwater destination such as Kumarakom reconnects you with nature – the calm waters, greenery and blue skies and gives you time to contemplate and look within. A lake resort in Kumarakom would just the sort of holiday your mind seeks.
Spend your time on a boat
Kumarakom is located on the banks of the largest backwaters lake, called Vembanad, and makes for the picture-perfect holiday. One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of the backwaters is to go on a boat cruise or two. Boats here go by the name kettuvalloms (in Malayalam) and while you are in them, you can spend endless hours watching the scenery, which of course, is worth a million rupees. If you are in Kumarakom around the time of Onam, usually in mid-September, you can enjoy watching the boat races. The boats are beautifully decorated and it is a visual treat to watch them glide gracefully on the backwaters.
Enjoy the luxuries at the resort
How can you forget food when you talk of one of the backwater resorts in Kerala? The finest of resorts offer an array of local and international cuisine. Don't forget to taste the local fish delicacies when you are holidaying at the backwater resort.
And then there is the spa!
Kumarakom is well-known for its Ayurveda packages, and if you are at a premium backwaters resort here, you could opt for one of the spa packages that have traditional therapies like 'shirodhara' and 'abhyangam'. A relaxing massage after a cruise on the backwaters will do you a world of good!
Treasure house of birds
Yet another backwaters speciality is the abundance of birdlife. If you are at one of the Kumarakom lake resorts, head to the nearby Kumarakom bird sanctuary, spread across 14 acres, which sees a lot of migratory birds. You can spot the egret, Siberian stork and darter at the sanctuary. Yet another way to enjoy the beauty of the backwaters is to go on a boat ride to Pathiramanal from Kumarakom, which takes about 45 minutes. Pathiramanal is an island that is home to one of the richest migratory bird species. It can be a real treat to go bird-watching here, and enjoy the birdsong in the silence.
Who would ever say no to a holiday in one of the backwater resorts of Kumarakom? After all, it is bound to blow your mind away!
Martin Wynn
