enjoy the boredom

The Kerala backwaters are really what Kerala are known for. Everyone that told me to go to Kerala specified the backwaters. Most people stay on a houseboat on the backwaters; we opted for a "floating cottage" and it was wonderful. After a short drive from Cochin we climbed into a speed boat for a minute and arrived at Pristine Island Resort. It was a small island with 10 floating cottages (each with 2 rooms), a grassy area to sit, walk, relax; a restaurant, etc. It was basic but had all you needed. We got settled in and sat down to just relax and take it all in.
Aside: I changed the picture on my home page (on the right) to a new flower, this new one was taken at Pristine Island.
According to the information they gave you at the island, you should give in and "enjoy the boredom" (or something like that). And so we did. There isn't much to do on in the backwaters other than enjoy the scenery around you, so we were happy to have our little island to walk around on rather than being stuck in a house boat.
It was interesting watching life going on around us; all day long we saw fishermen coming and checking their nets; they had bouyies (which unfortunately for scenic purposes were empty water bottles) marking their nets and they came around quite a few times to check them. We saw the local public transportation; a small boat which would run people (and their bicycles, and groceries, etc.,) across the water, even a few school kids being shuttled home in the afternoon. It was really interesting to see people living in a very very rural environment with very few worldly possessions and how they get along. They all looked to be very healthy and happy.
At sunset we enjoyed a cruise around the area; it was especially nice because it was only us on the boat (there were only about 10 other guests there, bad for the economy, but nice for us). We saw tons of fish jumping in and out of the water, they were really small...and above them birds were circling around ready to grab one for their dinner. There were so many palm trees, interestingly the bottom of the palm trees looked almost red or orange in color, so that as the sun was setting it was like they were on fire...and there were more coconuts on them than I have ever seen on a palm tree. Coconuts are used for lots of things in Kerala; the milk for drinking, the oil for cooking, and I think the shells for something else, but I'm not sure what.
And, of course, after the cruise a lovely dinner with, what else, fish!
It was absolutely wonderful and relaxing and one day felt like a week...but in a good way.
For your viewing enjoyment today...a photo of the palm trees at sunset,
and...a photo of one of dad's watercolors done while we were "enjoying the boredom"