Meet the British couple who spent a fortnight in a house boat
Jonathan and Jannet in the house boat
It’s not just the millennials who are globetrotting, Jonathan and Jannet are showing it to the world that there’s no age limit for exploring the world and being adventurous. When they thought of a two weeks holiday, they did not have any other choice than Kerala. Three months ago, Jonathan and Jannet, British couple (aged 69 and 70 respectively), booked two weeks holidays with Spice Coast Cruises in the backwaters of Alappuzha. Jonathan was sure to have a memorable holiday, as he had been in Kerala few years ago and was mesmerised by the house boats in Alappuzha, which is also called the ‘Venice of the East’. Tourism News Live correspondent Monaj Attingal could catch up with the couple and talk about their 14-day experience in the house boat.
Though they had booked the tickets much earlier, the rain and flood in August put them in dilemma, whether to stick on the booking or to cancel it, as the news in media were not positive. Most of the tourists had cancelled or postponed their journey. Still Jonathan decided to wait for the date of travel, which was on first week of October 2018.
The couple reached Kochi on 1st October and stayed overnight and set off to Alappuzha the next day. Though Jonathan had come to Kerala before, it was for the first time Jannet was visiting Kerala and experiencing the life in a house boat. Once they boarded the house boats, they have decided to spend the rest of their holidays in the house boat. This might be the first time a foreign couple is spending 14 days in a house boat.
“I have visited Kerala in 1993; and, during that time I could spend a day in the houseboat. It was an amazing experience and when I was planning the holidays this time, I decided to spend my holidays in a houseboat,” said Jonathan while answering about his decision to select house boat as the preferred dwelling.
“Since the climate of India is a bit hot, it is easier and more comfortable living in a house boat,” Jonathan shares the secret behind his decision to spend his long holidays on a houseboat.
Kainakary Boat Terminal
The couple wade through the back waters, enjoying the scenic beauty of Alappuzha and nearby places. They have travelled through, Kumarakom, Pandanadu, Chengannur, Mannar, Thottappalli, Pallana, Kayamkulam, Kollam, Kainakari, Thakazhi, Champakkulam etc. The couple could experience traditional, authentic Kerala cuisines like crab, prawns, duck roast, pearls pot etc.
“Quite honest, we did not have any problem here; the whole trip was very valuable as we got enough time and a perfect space to relax. Though I have seen many bad effects after the floods in the media, there is no inconvenience we have experienced here. Kerala is a very good destination for holiday and to relax and I will definitely recommend my friends and relatives to visit Kerala and experience the backwaters,” said Jonathan to Tourism News Live.
Spice Coast Cruises crews Tomy, Sanal and Kochumon were in charge of the house boat to cater the requirements of the guests. Pettitts India Tours was the operator who brought the British couple to Kerala.
“The couple who love Kerala and its backwaters bid good bye to Alappuzha and set off to Kochi today, promising that they will come back to Kerala in the near future,” said Jobi Joseph, Manager, Spice Coast Cruises.