Kollam

	Located 71 Kms to the north of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam is another coastal district of Kerala famous for its houseboat cruises.The district which is the centre of the countrys cashew trading and processing industry also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in traditional ornate architechural style. Boat building yard One of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast , the houseboat destination of Kollam was once the port of international spice trade . 30% of this historic town is covered by the renowned Ashtamudi lake, making Kollam the gateway to the magnificient backwaters of Kerala that can be enjoyed through the houseboat ride. The eight hour trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest backwater houseboat cruise in Kerala.Alumkadavu, situated 23 kms from Kollam town,is halfway on the route to Alappuzha from Kollam. The quiet little backwater village in Karunagapally town is famous for its houseboat building yard. It is here that the gigantic kettuvallam(traditional cargo boats of rural Kerala)or houseboats were built. Today the kettuvallams which were long replaced by modern means of transport, have been converted into full fledged houseboats