71 km north to of Thiruvananthapuram,one of the oldest port in the state,Kollam is where the magnificient network of waterways begins.From the famed Ashtamudi Lake,known as the gateway to the backwaters,a 130 km long system of interlinked canala and lakes winds all the way to the north.The eight hour trip from here to Allappuzha is the longest backwater cruise in Kerala.An important stop during the cruise is the pictureque little village of Alumkadavu,home of the Skilled artisans who craft the enormous Kettuvallams.
