In the Kerala Backwaters, sailing amongst birds and water lilies at Malarikkal

Kerala’s inland waterways, known as the Backwaters, form a 900-kilometre-long network stretching across rivers, lagoons and lakes, set amidst a lush expanse of tropical vegetation dotted with slender palm trees. There are many ways to explore them, such as by hiring a teak houseboat to glide slowly along these sinuous, winding waterways, accompanied by the calls of songbirds and the ceaseless gurgling of the water, whilst enjoying the freshest fish. Among the most fascinating destinations to visit is undoubtedly Kumarakom, a cluster of small islands off Lake Vembanad, in the Kuttanad region. In this labyrinth of canals and mangrove forests, rice and coconuts are cultivated. The local Bird Sanctuary, covering an area of 14 hectares, is home to 25,000 birds representing 180 species, many of which are migratory, including owls, cuckoos, herons, woodpeckers, moorhens, cormorants, oystercatchers, ducks and teals. In Kumarakom, it is also a pleasure to dine in the so-called ‘toddy shops’, named after the traditional drink made from the sap extracted from the inflorescence of the coconut palm; collected in earthenware pots, it is then fermented to give it a tangy flavour. Tasting Kallappam, made primarily from rice flour, is also a unique culinary experience. The dishes are very flavourful and spicy, enriched by the magical touch of coconut milk, with duck and fruit always featuring prominently. Heading to the nearby village of Malarikkal, whilst making the most of the final days of the monsoon season, you can witness the phenomenon of the lotus blossoms, which, like a colourful carpet, fill the lagoon with vibrant colours, transforming it into a floating garden that Claude Monet would undoubtedly have loved to paint.