The Place :
Kollam lies between the eight cornered Ashtamudi and the Lakshadweep Sea, at the southern extremity of a network of backwaters. Most of the sight seeing places in Kollam are within the radius of 8 - 10kms. The place is famous for its colonial Churches just like the Colonial Cousins and its backwaters. As you move along the coast line in the houseboats you will get to see some of the churches of Kollam. Other than these Churches there is the Thirumullavaram beach, Nahavishnu Temple. Thevally Palace, Neendakara which hold attraction for the tourist. Apart from these the Ashtamudi Backwaters are also famous. It here in these waters that the Kettuvulumns or the houseboats row along the coast line.
The backwater Cruise from Kollam will take you across the Ashthamundi River from where you will be able to see the little villages on the coastal line of Kerala. You will children running, waving and playing across the Coast. fisherman taking their fish, and women hurrying to work While on the houseboat you can catch fish, take a dip in the backwaters or swim in them or stop the houseboat in the middle of the backwater to take pictures of the scenery around. You can see the beautiful Ashtamudi Lake and enjoy the moonlit night. You will also get to see a number of
temples, churches and mosques which have different images in the night and morning.
Some of the one day houseboats trips are very famous like the Kayal Pradikshana Cruise which takes you along Munroe Island, formed by the Ashtamudi and Kallada River. This one day trip takes Rs 500 per individual; children below 12 years are not ticketed. Another is the Sayanathum Sunset Cruise which is a half day cruise and takes Rs 100 per individual. But both of the cruise do not include night stay in the houseboat.
