A walk down the villages of Kerala, along the backwaters and the lush paddy fields, the pearly beaches and the picture book countryside, can indeed be a refreshing experience. Stay with the locals, sail on the country made boats down the tranquil backwaters, go fishing with the rod or try using the Chinese fishing nets for a bigger catch, indulge in the local fare kappa and meen curry (steamed tapioca with fish curry) or enjoy authentic ayurvedic massage under the aegis of a vaidyan (physician)welcome to the rustic life of Kerala.

Kumarakom
	Kumarakom on the Vembanad Lake is fascinating. Interspersed with lush green mangrove forests, paddy fields that stretch out far into the horizon and coconut palms that criss-cross the backwater canals, the little village of Kumarakom is in reality a group of small islands.

Kumarakom is part of Keralas rice bowl, the Kuttanad region and is ideal for backwater cruises. A beautiful backwater spot within hailing distance of Kumarakom is the 14-acre bird sanctuary on the eastern banks of the Vembanad Lake. The sanctuary named after the village is a favorite haunt of migratory birds. There are egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoos, wild ducks and Siberian storks. The best way to watch the birds in the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.

A boat ride into the countryside can offer a close look at the life in the villages. There are fishermen in their small boats looking for fish while the women, neck-deep in water, search for the shy but tasty Karimeen fish with their feet. Or you could stay awake at night when fishermen glide over the dark waters with a flaming torch in their left hand and a net in their right. The fish, attracted by the light, are scooped up in the net.

One can cruise down the Kumarakom backwaters in houseboats, which have a living room, a bedroom, a bath and a private sit-out for passengers. A number of these houseboats are joined together to become boat trains to facilitate larger groups of visitors.

Vembanad Lake
One of Asias largest freshwater lakes, the Vembanad Kayal, as it is locally known, is a giant reservoir and a major ecological resource. The dense vegetation on its banks is a wonderful sight. The boats that ply on the lake vary from the large cargo carriers with mat-roofs to the houseboats.