Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/05/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]PESO Somebody asked to see the Kettuvallam (also spelled Kettuvallom) houseboats. I've put quite a few up on my website: http://tinamanley.smugmug.com/gallery/3917424_3shyZ#299619414_E5GQ2-A-LB http://tinyurl.com/6j5y2n "The Kettuvallam or 'boat with knots' is called so because coir ropes tied in knots hold the entire structure of the boat together. During the entire assembling work of the boat, not a single nail is used. The boat is made of huge planks of Jack wood (Artocarpus hirsuta) or 'Aanjili' and joined with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels." We had a great overnight trip on one but if you're going you'd better hurry. They are building hundreds more and the canals will soon be as clogged with boats as they are with water hyacinths! Tina Tina Manley www.tinamanley.com