An Irish couple has set a record of sorts for the longest stay on an ethnic houseboat in Kerala's famous backwaters in Kuttanad, the hub of the booming water tourism in the country.

Tom McNamara and his wife Teresa, who have stayed nearly for a fortnight on a one-room boat in Alappuzha, left the vessel with enduring memories of the scenic beauty of the region and hospitality.

Tourism sources here said this was for the first time that anybody had such a long stay in a houseboat in Kerala as so far they had guests for not more than five days.

According to Switen George, owner of Coco Houseboats, McNamara boarded the boat on January 13 and his wife joined him for the cruise a few days later.

"I just wanted to get away from the rat race, the pressure of everyday life and work. The houseboat has been absolutely a paradise," said McNamara, who runs a retail business with his wife in their native town of Tullamore, an hour's drive from Dublin.

Read more at http://www.indianexpress.com/news/irish-couple-sets-record-for-longest-stay-on-kerala-houseboat/743144/