Clear Skies, Hot blazing sun, the splashes in the Champakulum River and a lot of colors; the Champakulum boat race was going to be a memorable moment.
Champakulum a.k.a. Chambakullum is a small town about 26 kms by Road and 13 kms by Boat from Alleppey a.k.a Allapuza. Apart from boat race, Allapuza is also famous for its Backwaters and the amazing and very beautiful boat houses.
The trip at Allapuza was basically to cover the Chambakullum boat race and the beautiful locations at Allapuza. Started at 5.45pm on Friday to Alappuzha, after 16 hours of journey, reached the Venice of the East. After getting fresh, boarded a bus to Champakulam. 45 minutes of Journey with 30 more bumper to bumper stops, we reached Champakulam. Snake boats with men and women (few boats with only women) were roaring on the river (time for rehearsal). After finishing our lunch, we tasted the streets of Champakulam. An old Church (around 200 yrs old), a Statuary (founded in 1921, doing business with Canada, run by third generation artisans) and few hotels and banks was a delight. The race started at 3.30 with all boats and results were withheld first time in the 400 years history of the race.
After the race it was time for some sunset shots at the beach. Boarded an Autorickshaw and reached the beach in about half an hour with 7.5 Rs per Km.
I completely enjoyed the Aapams and the Egg roast through the 2 days and the very famous Kerala's very own Un-polished bullet rice and the warm Jeera Water. Aaah...! what a delight it was.
Day two started with boating in the backwaters crossing Nehru Boat race venue, couple of lakes, villages, amazing boathouses and many shooting locations.
Two complete days at Allapuza would mean a lot of Boating, Aapams and the very special Kerala Parota's. Filled with Greenery, water and lot of colors all around Allapuza is a very special place in Kerala.
Important infomration from the Trip:
Destination: Allapuza (Alleppey)
Locations and Events: Chambakullum26 kms by Road and 13kms by Boat.
You can cover Chambakullum by Boat and thus also cover the beautiful villages in the backwaters or a road trip of aobut half an hour directly to chambakullum. A private boat would cost you about 200 Rs per hour and this would mean about 5 hours of boating to and fro Chambakullum.
A local bus ride would cost you about 10 Rs per head, however if you are in for the crushing and pushing local people at Allapuza. (conclusion both are adventerous)
Allapuza Beach: A beautiful beach visit at the end of day would mean a lot of stress relieveing, a few portraits in the perfect sunlight and a broken Jetty captured being hit by the strong arabian sea waves.
The best way to reach the beach is an Auto rickshaw. Cost would be about 7-10 Rs per KM, depending where you are boarding the auto from.
Backwaters at Allapuza: As said above you can hire a boat to champakullum or take a round trip through 8 villages of Allapuza in the boat. A beautiful journey through the backwaters of Allapuza, kerala, you can witness, colorful people living all across strip of land along the backwaters.
Total cost of the trip per head: 2245.00 INR (including travel, stay and food)
Means of Travel: KSRTC Bus or Train (Ernakulum Express)
Places of Stay:Arcadia Regency, Hotel Raiban and Brothers Hotel
Time to Go: August will be hosting Nehru Trophy the biggest Boat race Event.
For more Pictures from Champakullum, Allapuza, Kerala, check my photostream on flickr.
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