House Boats are locally known as ‘Kettuvallams’. Once upon a time, Kettuvallams were the main mode of transportation of cargoes from one place to another, when the road facilities and vehicles were not so common. In those days, Kettuvallams were the cheapest and the most convenient mode of transportation.

Rice, coconut, spices and all other sort of things were transported from one place to another in Kettuvallams, especially from Kollam to Kochi and vice versa. The Kettuvallam workers used to pole with bamboo poles, which took days and weeks to reach the destination. So the workers had to do all their daily activities inside the Kettuvallam, including cooking. The food they cooked in the Kettuvallams was extremely tasty, though it was slightly spicy. At that time, the arch roof and the rooms which can be seen in the present day House Boats were not there. Only a small roof was there, under which they used to cook, sleep and store their belongings.

Few years back, one British came to Kerala as a tourist. While touring, he reached Kollam and saw the Kettuvallams moving along the rivers, which caught his curiosity. He got acquainted with the Kettuvallam workers and asked them whether he can travel with them. They happily agreed and he boarded in a Kettuvallam which was going to Kochi and traveled all the way. It took almost couple of weeks to reach Kochi. He immensely liked the trip and enjoyed the tasty food prepared by the workers, thought it was bit spicy. It was then, the idea of converting the Kettuvallams into House Boats for tourism purpose struck in his mind. He told this idea to a friend who was staying in Trivandrum. The friend who got fascinated with the idea plunged into it and converted some Kettuvallams into House Boats. This is the history behind the inception of modern day House Boats.

Years passed, but the concept has not changed much. The House Boats gives a dream like experience to the tourists. It is a life time experience, so relaxing and peaceful. A dream which one can take home and cherish for years…..