Allepey (15 minutes) to board the traditional rice boats - “Ketuvallam” for a fascinating cruise through the backwaters. Allepey is known as the “Venice of the East” and the cruise in its backwater is very scenic, with many country crafts laden with coir goods and cashews, gliding up the canals. There are some lovely inland lagoons, fringed by thin green necklaces of vegetation. The narrower stretches of water are often covered with a purple-green blanket of blossoming water lilies. See the local village life along the canals.