Levers, weights and poles helps four men operate each net.

A Keralan longboat, kettu vallam

A glimpse into rural life where life is lived on or near the water

Coconut trees bend towards the sun at impossible angles

Green paddy fields appear beyond the trees

Alongside Fort Cochin are Chinese fishing nets, apparently introduced by tradesmen from the court of Kublai Khan.

A memorable experience is to travel by boat along the tropical backwaters. This region is called Kuttanad and lasts for 70km from Kollan (Quilon) to Kochi (Cochin)

A unique dance drama - Kathakali draws its roots from martial arts and for centuries its aim has been to bring gods and demons o the people of Kerala. Each actor spends years perfecting their body movements.

Geographically isolated by the Western Ghat mountains and the Arabian sea, visitors marvel at the tropical greenness throughout. Culture differences are evident too and the state is well known for its festivals and surreal rituals. Kochi (Cochin) is a relaxing and likeable city, and in the south, its capital, Thiruvanthapuram (Trivandrum) connects you to the palm beaches of Kovalam. Actual travelling in Kerala is a delight especially in a boat along the numerous backwaters and 41 rivers

At the tip of India's southernmost state Kerala, Kovalam is a small fishing village with a flourishing tourist trade.

The most northern beach of three around Kovalam and the least developed

Lighthouse beach is the central beach and lined with small lodging houses and restaurants