The plan

One of the best maps(NATPAC) on waterways, found on the web.

The plan is to use the window overlapping full moon to make the journey that will cover NW3-Kollam to Kottapuram. Refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_National_Waterway_3.png for scaled map that depicts the 205Km waterway in Kerala, on the west coast of India.The windows in November 2013 is around 16-17th and the same in December is around 16-17th, when the moon is full! http://www.drikpanchang.com/vrats/purnimasidates.html. I have plans/ideas/delimas, here are some;

Entrying Vayalar Kayal from Vembanad lake, using Chengadayar, Chertala.

1. Do I solo or do I do it with a partner?

My choice would be to do it with a partner, as its fun to be with people and have some company especially when you are paddling the open expanses of the backwaters. Then, this also have challenges. Whom do I partner with? A lot of folks I know are interested to join, but have never tired kayaking or those who have, dont have a love for the big push! When I discussed this plan with Vishal Koshy, he too felt that going solo would be better as rookies would bring their own challenge. Vishal suggested that I write this blog and hopfully someone who is genuinely interested to make the trip may read it and would be interested to partner. 

Google earth....excellent maps for navigating the canals of Kuttanad.

2. What is the purpose of this expedition?

I intially thought of doing this trip for the sense of achievemnet it brings and also as a tribute to the thousands of rice-boat-men, who plied their 'kettuvallams', on these waters and beyond, for thousands of years. I have shared one of my memorable meeting with a pair of 'rice-boar-men', in my previous post. Today, there are very few of these men, who are not finding fresh takers from the new generation, compouded by competition by other means of transportation. When I met Kasimka and Arjun, the 2 rice-boat-men, whom I met at KV Jetty, I was transformed by their comradierie and adventure that stretched back 4 decades. 

Vishal also shared that that this effort that I plan should have a social message. Something that will benefit the society, a cause that is close to my heart. I thought about it and decided on 1 big theme....saving the waterways and the natrual resource - Water. I intent to partner with the following state departments in sponsoring the trip - Kerala Water Authority, Kerala transportation, Kerala forest  & Kerala Tourism. I hope to support the cause of water/nature conservancy as I take breaks during the day and make night halts. 

On the Pampa river, enroute to Thrikunnapuzha.

4. How many days will I take to cover 205 Km?

Based on my previous expereince, where I have covered a maximum of 40Km in a day...taking aim at 30-35 would be the best....this will also give me enough time to integrate the social cause that I want to bring to the expedition. The entire route of 205 km..should be completed in 6 days....will it happen?...lets watch and see.

One of my best shots, Changanacherry to Pulinkunnu.

5. Why the hell are you calling this an expedition?

I agree that I am not doing anything new....Its not as audacious as going around the world on a kayak. For an ant a kilometer is an expedition....for me..its the same....I have not done anything bigger than 50km...to do it 4 times and cover the entire stetch of the NW3's 205 Km...is a big step....and hence an expedition.

Off the Alapuzha-Changanacherry canal.

6. What will the expenses be like and what are my plans to meet it?

The overall cost I have in mind is around 2Lakhs, where 1Lakh would go for the gear and the other for my stay! What stay : If I am lucky to get a partner who will join me, I would prefer a tent. If I make the trip solo...I will have to look for resorts that dot the entire stretch of NW3, which in Dec is expensive, being the peak of the tourist season!
The plan is to ask for sponsorship for Govt. departments and corporate houses; giving space on the kayak to place their logo's. I have a few of my customers and few corporates focused on travel, that I plan to approach for sponsorship. 

I WELCOME IDEAS...IF YOU HAVE ANY OR WANT TO PARTNER IN THIS "EXPEDITION" , PLS CONTACT ME!

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.