January 2

Today we will leave homestay. We have an excursion for three nights on a private houseboat with couple of staff, who drive the boat and cook for us!! I'm ready for a new adventure. As we were saying goodbye they gave us a box. “Open, open,” they said. It was a mug with our picture on it!! Such a nice gesture and unexpected! We said goodbye to Jeeja. Francis went with us to the boat. At the docking area it is just boat after boat – so many! – and differing sizes! We boarded ours – 'Oneness'. We were given a welcoming juice drink. The owner came and Francis introduced him, then Francis left saying goodbye. The owner talked with us a bit, and said “If any problems, call” and laid out his card. Jeff took a photo of it. Then he left and we are with two “staff” – one is the driver, the other the cook. We backed out around 1230.

We are heading out to Vembanad Lake, along with a long line of many other boats! It is amazing how many there are!! We cruised until around 140 pm. Then we docked and we were served lunch. We each had a small grilled fish; three salads – a seasoned green bean/potato, a seasoned cabbage/coconut  one and plate of sliced tomato,red onion, cucumber, carrot, and a spicy green chili; yogurt bowl; small chutney bowl; veggie curry and big pot of rice. It was actually light because we did not eat much rice, and very flavorful. After we ate we had 30 minute walkabout! This enabled us to see rice paddies in what must be reclaimed land – we think. Also saw a tractor adapted for the rice paddies.

Then we reboarded and off cruising. The cook gave us tea and a split, fried banana with fennel seeds in the breading. It was very unique in a good way! We turned and went up a wide canal. Then another canal. It is pleasant enough because we are out of the sun. We like it up in the “crow's nest”. As we are going there are many different birds flying all around. the most prolific, unfortunately is the crow. I don't know the names of them – I won't even try, but some are brilliantly colored. I find it is just refreshing and enjoyable on a boat. In some ways reminds us of the Canal du Midi, but there are definite contrasts! The canals are wider; there are several more boats; and there are more floating plants.

We were offered a massage, we declined – it's extra money and don't feel we need one. Our boat made shore on one side of the canal around 530 pm. There are electrical hook ups (Jeff had wondered about that), so we will be spending the night here. A small boat pulled up alongside of us and offered a small boat ride for $12.  We accepted and boarded it. This driver took us down some smaller canals. It was sunset time! He pulled over so we could do a photo op of a rice paddy. They harvest rice twice per year he said. We loaded back up and went a bit further. A man was waving, Jeff thought he wanted a ride. I thought he wanted to sell something, and shook my head no. Jeff nodded yes. Then recognized the man was our cook and we were at his home! His wife, Anita and he were nice. We conversed some. Their home was humble but they were very inviting. They offered us tea, and we accepted. We went out the back door with him as she prepared the tea. We could see the rice fields – it was basically right up to their property. Then back in their home; we drank the tea, ate some banana chips, and a snack they provided – it was like a hushpuppy texture, but tasted mildly sweet. She said what it was called (we didn't get the name), and told us the ingredients: rice powder, jaggery, and ghee. They have been married 24 years and have two daughters – showed us pictures. Finished, we thanked them and loaded back in the small boat. It was dark now, and we arrived back at our houseboat. We walked back to a church we passed to get pictures, and returned.

Around 730 we were served supper of: chicken (still with bones) in a very aromatic gravy; a stew; rice; pickled okra- that Jeff liked; a chapati- tortilla-like bread, still hot; and big bowl of fruit on the table. (We didn't get to the fruit.) We will have to get more steps in, since we are eating so much!! Then I blogged and Jeff edited. It has been a fantastic day!