There can be few more unique perspectives on travelling within a country other than seeing life from on-board a houseboat and if you prefer to sit and stare then this is an excellent means of letting life come to you without having to move a muscle.
No matter where you find yourself afloat there are plenty of wonderful ways to enjoy your time and if you’re a fan of reading, photography or painting then this is the perfect means of indulging your hobby as you cruise from one port or pier to the next.
Kids waving from river banks, early morning bird calls and late night adventures as the sun sets, whatever, quite literally, floats your boat, there’s no better way to travel and embrace the tranquillity and culture of life on the river.
Below are just a few more ways to enjoy your time on a houseboat and as the quote by the author of Wind in the Willows infers, once you’ve discovered this delightful mode of transport there will be no looking back so why not clamber aboard.
“There’s nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as messing about in boats.” Kenneth Grahame
Learn the ropes
First things first and getting yourself acquainted with the terminology, the equipment and the rest of the team will stand you in good stead for the rest of the journey. Finding out about how a craft works and what you have to do at key moments, such as berthing and encountering another boat, are all part of the fun and will definitely add to enjoyment levels as you set sail.
Rest and relax
Once you feel confident and comfortable that all is secure and that you’re travelling in the right direction then finding a special spot all to yourself is a great way to instantly calm your pulse and enjoy the simplicity of the moment. Although everyone relaxes at their own pace, finding time to stop and stare whilst on-board a houseboat is a truly meditative experience and certainly one to savour.
Keep a journal
Time can go by surprisingly quickly when you’re on-board a houseboat and if you can record your travels in a book or on film you’ll be able to enjoy them again and again for many more years to come. Keeping a journal doesn’t have to be all consuming but just writing down your thoughts and your experiences every so often is a really relaxing way to capture a truly special series of adventures.
Hop on and hop off
From the river banks of Kerala in southern India to the wetlands of Norfolk in East Anglia, jumping off your houseboat to stretch your legs and explore is a great way to learn more about an area. Authentic regional cuisine, hidden temples far from the beaten track and no end of peaceful spots for picnics, provide a banquet of riverside treats and definitely help you to appreciate the freedom of life afloat much more than some other more industrial forms of transport.
Keep your wits about you
Although being on-board a houseboat can be a remarkably peaceful and relaxing experience it’s always best to keep your wits about you at all times. Remembering not to get too drunk or be disrespectful to the local environment are both key factors in enjoying your houseboat cruise and if you’re hoping to remain dry and happy then just be careful when walking around as just one tiny bump might help you get much closer to the water than you’d first intended.