Raindrop boat house - Mudaliarkuppam

Few weekends back we drive to Raindrop boat house at Mudaliarkuppam on ECR (east coast road) about 90km from Chennai. Actually we planned for an outing on Sunday on ECR and drove up to Mudaliarkuppam perhaps taking a boat ride on the backwaters of Odiyur Lake. It was a sunny day way up to summer heat but it wasn’t hot that much that day perhaps backup by A/C and coastal ride, we had our lunch under some trees shadows off ECR. One of the best aspects of outing had always been having lunch at unusual circumstance; especially under shadow of trees is quite relish and refreshing.

We (along with uncle, aunt and cousins) were at the boat house in afternoon and I was anticipated to take a boat ride there while it was where my last boat ride took place four year back. But my bad chance the boats that we took for ride last time were abandoned, due to broke up and there were only boats with seating options which is unsuitable for me. Last time we took a boat with flat on-board (check the abandoned boat in 1st picture) which could accommodate my wheel chair besides sliding benches for a relax ride. But somehow I enjoyed the visit to the boat house and I got to check the activities held around from the dock.

The boat house is located on a picturesque location with one side of vast Odiyur Lake and other side a large backwater channel lasting for more than 3 km parallel to shore before met with sea. There are many type of ride available at the boat house to enjoy water sports like pedaling, rowing, motor and speed boating and water scooting and kayaking. Leaving me and dad at dock, others went on a boat ride and pedaling boat, I went up shooting with camera while sun warms beside I was content with the cool sights I caught up around.  

There were number of sea birds floating around and taking on and off the water. I also saw common kingfisher fishing from the dock and other unknown birds taking the abandoned boat engine as its home. A huge fiber boat was anchored near the boat house to attract visitors capture our attention in blue. Unlike then the boat house doesn’t look so graceful and a part of dock was broke down and also lost its already partial roof. But I still prefer this boat house the best and it doesn’t throng by people like the always crowded Muttukadu boat house near Chennai on ECR. The eco system of backwater is too good here and the boating also take us for long distance ride and  give sometime to spent on the island at the mouth of lake.

Raindrop boat house also operates a restaurant and also conduct pre-orders on parties and get-togethers. It is one of a number of best places to check on weekend outing or picnicking between Chennai and Pondicherry. 

Common Kingfisher

Splashing water scooter