Traditionally, the houseboat was called kettuvallom, which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. Incredible may sound, not a single nail is used in the making of a kettuvallom.
Jack wood planks are joined together with coir rope and then coated with black resin made from boiled cashew nut shells. Today, these giant 80 foot long crafts have been adapted into luxuriously furnished houseboats. A kettuvallom usually has one, two or three bath attached bedrooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide.
