Welcome to the Kerala, in south India, is often referred to as "God's Own Country". This coastal state is rich in distinctive traditions and culture, and lush unspoiled tropical beauty. Most of all, Kerala is known for its elephants, elaborate temple festivals, and the tranquil backwaters. The pace of life is slow, making Kerala the perfect place for a leisurely vacation. And is also the place to go walking (Kerala Backwaters)One of the most tranquil and relaxing things you can do in India is hire a Kerala houseboat (called a kettuvallam) to explore the backwaters. Freshly cooked Indian food and chilled beer make the experience even more enjoyable. Those on a budget can go on one of the many half or full day backwater tourist cruises that are on offer. Alternatively, if you want to check out the backwaters very cheaply, it's possible to take one of the public boat services operated by the State Water Transport Department, such as the one between Alleppey and Kottayam. Travel time is two and a half hours, with numerous daily depart