The wish

Crossing the Vembanad Lake, Rblock towards Muhama.

I have kayaked on the canals of Alapuzha in Kerala, India, since 2005. The longest of these being 50KM, over 2 days. It all started when I returned from the United Sates in 2004, with a Perception, 10' kayak. Starting off with small trips, departing the AC Canal(Alapuzha-Changanacherry canal), I pushed myself to reach Kavalam, Pandanad, Pulinkunnu & Ambalapuzha. 

The touring started when I made my first trip from Chengannur to Changancherry, via Edathua.The longest of day trips I made was from Changanacherry to Muhamma. The trip to Muhamma taught me a key lessons; never kayak over open water during the sun peak hours - 11AM to 3PM!

There were no maps of the waterways, accessible to the common man. I relied on Google maps for all my navigation with support from local oarsmen, who are always willing to help. The day trips gave way to overnight ones. The first from Chengannur to Thrikunnapuzha and the next one from Changanacherry to Vayalar. Each of them presented valuable learning - Unknown oarsmen giving support to stay overnight. I will never forget Arjun and Kasimka, the rice boat oarsmen with whom I spent a night at KV Jetty.

The realization that 200KM of waterways(NW3) exist in Kerala came after seeing the red and green buoys on the canal, in 2010 It beckoned me to cover its entire distance on a kayak. I did bring up the idea with few adventure enthusiasts who do kayaking, but they wouldn't bite it.

Arjun(RIP) & Kasimka, of Karunagapally.

The dream to cover the entire stretch of NW3 on a Kayak, is the big plan for 2013. This is the start of that adventure, my salute to Arjun(RIP) and Kasimka(pictured); and to all those oarsmen who have plied the rice boats on these beautiful waters of Kerala for hundreds of years.