When the three gorgeous gals landed at Alappuzha Punnamada boat jetty, it was in a sizzling romantic mood crafted by the drizzles then. The three beauties who bagged the first three crowns of Miss Kerala beauty contest were Miss Kerala Sree Thuasi, first runner –up Rima Kallingal and runner up Ann Joseph. The day was August 3, a special day, the Friendship Day. The pretty girls, who contested for the beauty crown, were getting ready for a cruise down enthralling the backwaters. A `Jalolsavam' dedicated by `Mathrubhumi' to them. Only one week was remaining for the Nehru Trophy boast race. It seemed that the Punnamada Lake was waiting to have mirth in the rhythm of `Vanchippattu'.
The American Eagle, the three bed room houseboat with 97 meter length, which was festooned for the journey, was waiting for us in the jetty. Rima was present on morning itself at Alappuzha . She came to Kochi from Bangalore in the morning flight. She memorized the journey as her fourth in the backwaters. She added that in her Orkut profile, which is named Rima Rajan, she wrote Alappuzha as the best place she most loves.
Ann Joseph and her mother Mary Veenus also reached in a car from their house in Palarivattom, Kochi. Ann is 11 th standard student at Choice School, Kochi.
Now the time is 12.15 noon. When Executive express reached the station Sree Thulasi made a call. She was with her mother Rajalakshmi. This was her first journey in Kuttanadu and her expressions echoed the glee of the same.
It's now 12.30. Padmakumar, manager of American Eagle sought permission to begin the sail. Slowly the Eagle began to be in motion from the place which is the starting point for the historic Nehru Trophy Boat race. Yes, the start was from the right place. The construction of track for the upcoming boast race was progressing in war footing. Seeing the beauties, youngsters waved their hands.
Ann is like a tinkle box. A little star who scored 92 % mark in the board exam. Not only that, she got selection to the basket ball team and she has to go to the Vista Youth festival and so on. When Ann was detailing her school programmes, Rima interfered as she was feeling very hungry. The lunch is special Kerala meals with special Karimeen Fry. We began to receive the `feel' of deep frying the fish from the kitchen of the house boat.
`I love my life' this is Ann's slogan towards life. If she gets a chance, this little beauty would love to be in Vienna or Switzerland. But for Thulasi, Kerala is the hot favourite. `Aleppey is really beautiful', she said.
Eagle first anchored near the Bhagavathy fields, the lush green fields in the eastern side of Punnamada Lake.
Rajesh seemed busy digging and pouring mud to strengthen the ridges in the field. He asked whether we came for cinema shooting. When `no' was the answer he was back on duty. The ridges are constructed to stop overflow of water to the fields during heavy rain. Here is a point to remember as Kuttanadu is one among the wonder places located at a very low altitude from the sea level.
We were on our way to Kainakari through the Punnamada finishing point, a journey orbiting the heart of the Kuttanadu. The voyages in houseboats in Kuttanadu had become one of the best tourism packages in the world.
The terminal for the house boat is the starting point for boat race in Punnamada. Generally the cruise will go for the trip in two directions. First one is to the immensity of Vembanadu Lake through Pathiramanal, Kumarakom route. The lake with 8 km length will amaze one with its vastness. One can go up to Thanneermukkom in this route.
The next route is through the minds of the villages in Kuttanadu. A journey through the inland waterways which is a mix of canals and ducts. A memorable journey having a view of Pambayar, Manimalayar and Achankovilar and touching the pulse of Kuttanadan villages. One can have a close look at the typical Kuttanadan villages like Kainakari, Chennankari, Pulinkunnu, Nedumudi and Kavalam. The water will roll red carpets to welcome you. We selected the second route which is filled with canvasses of Kuttanadan life in its full sense and colour.
Here the lake itself is a beautiful sight other than the views in the lakeshore. The green fields, toddy tapers sitting in the pinnacles of coconut trees, ducks and the herdsman leading them, fisherman sitting in small boats catching fish with their nets, natives traveling in small boats and the beautiful scenery goes on.
The lunch time was nearing. Rimi devoted her full attention to the fish. Sambar, avial and cabbage dishes were ready for Thulasi who is a strict vegetarian. When we reached Chambakkulam via Kainakari, Nedumudi and Pallathuruthy, the lights were getting dim and it was already evening. The employees of Eagle informed that journey after 6 pm is not allowed as it is the time for fisherman to set nets for fish hunt. When another house boat was passing nearby, Ann uttered its name as `Saramma'. We were in suspicion for having such a name for a house boat. But Ann was mistaken it was not Saramma but` Saroma'.
The eagle was returning in the same path. The boat was fastened 2 km away from Punnamada during night.
The setting sun silhouetted the scene. Sree Ganesh, the snake boat of Aleppey boat club was practicing for the upcoming race. The snake boats are hot pieces of attraction for tourists on their trips to Aleppey. As a part of their trip, the tourists would visit Chamabkkulam, Kavalam and Nadubhagam snake boats which are depicted as heroes in the race related stories and songs. The dinner began with tapioca and fish which we missed during the evening.
Chappathi, chicken fry, fish curry rice too accompanied the cuisine. In this Ann proclaimed her love for chicken terry achy from the` Subway' restaurant in MG Road. In home, her favourite dish is `sitadichammanthi'. The name was given as if one eats that dish he/she will shut their eyes due to the intensity of its sourness.
The next session was to suggest a name for the dance group formed by Rima in Bangalore. Finally they unanimously chose the name `Uoorjja'. Thulasi shared her wish to try a hand in films if good roles come by. She will return to Abu Dhabi before Onam. She also had a wish to participate in the Miss India contest next year.
Its 11.30 night. It seemed that everyone wished for deep sleep as their eyes said so. The darkness alone was playing in the outside world. The petrol lamps of fishermen in distant places made dots of light in the water. The fishermen would be catching shrimps. The fishermen will prick them when these shrimps come above the water attracted to the lights. Two shrimps are sufficient to make one kg. That will be exported after processing.
These dots of lights are an unforgettable experience in the backwaters cruise. If it is a moonlit night, it will become poetic.
Next morning after rounding R Block, Rani, Chithira and Marthandam lakes, it was the time to wind up the water voyage. Rima said she enjoyed the last moments most during the two day journey. After having breakfast, the three stars returned in their vehicle from Punnamada. But the memories of lake dreams and the sweet moments of friendship will last forever.
These dots of lights are an unforgettable experience in the backwaters cruise. If it is a moonlit night, it will become poetic.
Next morning after rounding R Block, Rani, Chithira and Marthandam lakes, it was the time to wind up the water voyage. Rima said she enjoyed the last moments most during the two day journey. After having breakfast, the three stars returned in their vehicle from Punnamada. But the memories of lake dreams and the sweet moments of friendship will last forever.
D Shyjumon
Photos: Jamesh Kottakkal
Translation: Shamila K Y
The next session was to suggest a name for the dance group formed by Rima in Bangalore. Finally they unanimously chose the name `Uoorjja'. Thulasi shared her wish to try a hand in films if good roles come by. She will return to Abu Dhabi before Onam. She also had a wish to participate in the Miss India contest next year. 
