Kerala's palm-fringed backwaters are inland lakes connected by a network of canals. With 41 west-flowing rivers, the backwaters stretch for almost 1900 kilometres. The routes date back over the centuries and were used for all transportation needs, in particular trade in coconut, rubber, rice and spices. Today, these waterways link remote villages and islands to the mainland and nerve centres of the coastal area.

The largest backwater stretch is the Vembanad Lake, which opens out into the sea at the Kochi port and flows through three districts - Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kochi. Alappuzha is one of the major centres for backwater boat trips and its coir workers present an interesting sight as they soak coconut fibre in pools, beat them and wind the strands on long spindles stretched between endless lines of palms.