The reason tourists visit Alleppey is for its backwaters. But, until a few years back, Alleppey was still on the fringe of the tourist trail in Kerala. A stop-over point for the Alleppy-Kollam motorboat day tours. Since then, with the Houseboat overnight trips’  meteoric rise in popularity, Alleppey is the most sought after tourist destination in Alleppey.

In fact, the overnight houseboat experience in Alleppey is now considered the no.1 thing for tourists to do in India. Tourism figures have experienced incredible growth since Johnson started his home stay business in Alleppey/Alappuzha in 2001. Yes, when Johnson started his business here, there were about 30 houseboats in Alleppey . In the 10 years since, there are now close to one thousand active houseboats or Kettuvallams plying their trade in Alleppey now.

An overnight trip on a houseboat around Alleppey offers tourists a more meaningful, diverse, scenic and enjoyable trip than the never ending dull Alleppey-Kollam 8 hour day-trip. Even though more expensive, tourists slowly but surely switched to the wonderfully relaxing, all inclusive, overnight trip on the ‘Only in Alappuzha’ built houseboat or Rice barge.

 Initially, Johnson used a friend’s houseboat for his in house guests. With the experience thus gained, he custom designed and built his own houseboat ‘ The Pride Eco-houseboat’ It took 2 years to build and was launched mid -2009. It is now the most popular houseboat in Kerala. Indeed, his guests who’ve done the cruise call the experience one of “the highlights of their life.”

Some of it’s unique features include On board service . The 3 options on hiring it.  The design itself.  And it’s eco-friendliness.

As stated earlier, there are close to a thousand houseboat or rice barges in Alleppey. Each owner tries to out do the other in the construction of the boat. But, however big, luxurious and comfortable the Boat is,  it is the on board staff that ultimately makes or breaks the trip.  

Johnson’s staff are  well-trained, genuinely hospitable, polite & non-intrusive. The food is bought fresh from the market, cooked on board and is plentiful. The one complaint from his guests is- too much good food.  Johnson will take that  complaint, every time –‘With Pride’.   Fishing with local cane rods or nets, and village walks are organized by staff.

While every body builds boats and crams then with rooms, Johnson did the opposite. There is only one large room on the split level boat.  No  air-conditioning- instead windows on either side of room provides airflow.  The room is on the upper floor, again the opposite of what most boat builders do, so the entire space upstairs goes for the bedroom ensuite. And for sun-deck. Believe it or not, the sundeck upstairs has a garden too.

Another huge advantage with the split-level design is that it allows complete privacy The staff are based downstairs, need not come upstairs unless summoned. This is houseboat heaven for couples on a romantic getaway.

And what’s downstairs?  Eight hanging cane swing cane (rattan) chairs to sink into dreamland.  A  large dining table and spare bathroom. Oh, and a hammock.  The kitchen and staff quarters are also located on the lower deck.

The  Pride-Eco - Houseboat does not have a swimming pool or jaccuzi, like some overdone and ridiculously expensive houseboats.

In the evening, it berths in a safe, quiet, beautiful spot with a view of the rice fields to one side and the water on the other. Hardly any other houseboats are in the vicinity there.

The sundeck though, is the most popular spot on the boat-as it offers a perfect uninhendered view -great to take photographs. Johnson’s houseboat has an inboard engine (noise free-non pollutant). The bathroom is fitted with bio-tanks, no plastic is sold onboard. Power for bulbs and fans is drawn from the engine using inverton/alternator method, with storage batteries.

However, eco-worthiness of a houseboat, (green palm, gold certified, et al) is limited to what is possible in Alleppey. Until the government brings in proper guide lines and waste disposal units, it is only so much that any houseboat operator can do, under the existing conditions.

Tourists are requested in our efforts by recycling if or when possible. And most of all trying to avoid- the plastic drinking mineral water bottle.  Be a responsible tourist.

Having 3 options makes it possible of all budgets to enjoy the backwater experience, Differences being in the cruise timings, the service (ex. the 1st option has 2 hours canoeing ) and  in the quantity of food. All options include to and  fro transportations, Hygienic  drinking water, fruits, tea, snacks, etc. at no extra cost.