floating on the backwaters

after kumily we headed back to alleppey, where we hired one of these luxury houseboats for two days of cruising on the backwaters around alleppey.  we found one with a huge upper deck where we spent most of our time lounging around, enjoying the gorgeous nature, and keeping an eye for birds.  which we saw quite a few of.  all kinds of water birds, even eagles and hunting kingfishers.  here is our boat moored up for our first night.

 the girls and i keeping our eyes open for birds on the top deck.

 a beautiful sunset view from our boat.

 quick family shot before hopping off the boat.  it was a great couple of days, very relaxing, now we are off to the beach.

beaches, princesses dresses and the meetings of wonderful strangers.

allepey has been good to us.  we spent the day at the beach having a great time.  zoe wanted to carry her little baby when she woke up,  i think eijla went for it just cause she really wasn´t awake yet.

 after a great day at the beach the girls were all buddy-buddy.  it was so cute.

 then we headed into town,  and you know what else allepey has besides, good vibes, great food, and a lovely beach.  they have tons of princess dresses!  eijla insists on trying them on in the store.  much to everyone´s entertainment.  though it is almost impossible to get her out of them later.

 so we let them wear them all the way home!  they love the all the frills and lace!  they must get that from thomas!

then the other day while at the fruit stand we ran into another traveling family. they had a four year old boy named pablo.  they happened to be staying on a little private island and invited us out for the afternoon.  first they came and picked us up in a little dugout canoe.  eijla loved riding on the "baby boat"!

 ended up being a lovely afternoon and evening with great food and wonderful company!  as you can see it was a real paradise.  thanks tina and matt for sharing a little bit of your paradise with us.

tomorrow we are off to varkala, have to check things out before the grandparents come.