On the shores of the enchanting Vembanad lake, 14 kms from Kottayam (travel time: 20 min), lies Kumarakom in its small town hush. Redolent of restful peace.

A boat ride in the countryside offers a close look into an engaging rustic life. Skiff-fishermen launching there cockeshell boats. Large flotillas of ducks waddling down to the water from thatched houses on the banks. Women, neck-deep in water, with there waist-length hair heaped in a crown, searching for fish with there feet. And aimless cattle grazing in lush pasture-land, where white lotuses lie here and there in small, low-lying pools.

At Kumarakom, you could sail the backwaters in rented houseboats, which are poled by local oarsmen and are simply furnished with a living room, a bedroom and a bath, together with a raised central platform creating a private sit-out for the passengers. Sections of the curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. Boat trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together - make for a convenient mode of sightseeing when the company is large. The more adventurous could perhaps indulge in water sports such as windsailing and water skating. You could also take a canoe out into the quite lagoons and spend time angling. Make sure you sample Karimeen and fresh toddy - the favourite fresh water food and the local wine.