Waterways in India

Lest we forget, the UK is not the only place with canals and waterways. Much of Europe has well developed internal traffic, but this week was my first boating holiday on the waterways of southern India at Alleppey in Kerala.
My stay was on the houseboat Pallanaya - 93 tons, capacity for 6 passengers, 4.85 metres wide and 32 metres long, 1.65 metres in depth and made in 2008 with an Ashok Leyland engine (capacity unknown) and a crew of 4 including a cook. So not your average narrow boat in the cut.
The waters are wide and full of varied craft from tiny fishing canoes (and one small pedalo) through commercial ferries to luxury leisure houseboats like ours and not forgetting one raft containing a full sized combine harvester!
Here's a double decker like ours, timber with metal sheeting below water and coir woven around a tubular steel superstructure.

Inside there were three ensuite double bedrooms and aircon. Upstairs a lounge with excellent views ahead, while the main deck downstairs was a dining room.
 Crew quarters, spacious kitchen and air con units were to the rear.
I recommend it at least for 24 hours, if you happen to be passing that way. More info here.