On the Canals (Part I)

For several centuries in the middle ages, the commercial activities of Kerala and Venice were indirectly but inextricably linked through the spice trade.  The Arabs conveyed the spices  by sea from Kerala and then across land to the south-eastern Mediterranean, where the Venetians took over and built their fortunes.  It is interesting to compare and contrast some aspects of these two as they are today.

Both areas have major tourist industries based on the unique characteristics of their environments - the Backwaters of Kerala and the canals of Venice.  Moving on these waterways is a major component of vacations in either region.  This blog will focus on the similarities of passenger transportation inevitably forced upon them by their surroundings.

In Venice, the luxury upmarket (and extremely expensive) way to travel is by gondola...

.....although it may not always be worth the money!

In Kerala, you don't need an umbrella as they provide a roof!

In Venice to get from one bank of a canal to the other side, you can use a "traghetto" - note they do not have the fine fittings of a gondola.

In Kerala, there is the local equivalent.

You can always use a taxi in Venice 

And also in Kerala.

Of course, most day to day journeys are on  a ferry, like this one in Murano.....

..... or this one in Kerala

Both places have traditional shapes for the bows of their boats....

As in Venice on the gondolas...

... and Kerala on the houseboats (more about these at a later date!)

 There are also plenty of other types of water craft to be seen..........

Obviously with all this water traffic, one needs to have plenty of traffic cops....

More to follow on churches and fish!



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