The houseboats of Kerala, India

Kerala is a populous state that contains almost 10% of India's water and is internationally known for its houseboat vacations. The houseboats are converted kettuvallams, formerly used to carry up to 30 tons of rice and other goods to ports along the water. They are made by tying coir and wood together, and not a single nail is used.

Kerala was named one of  "50 destinations of a lifetime" by National Geographic Traveler in 2000.

“A cruise along the mirror-still lagoons, picture-book lakeside, palm-fringed canals and shimmering rivulets of `God's Own Country' is the most enchanting holidaying experience in the country. With a cruise along the palm-fringed waterways turning to be part and parcel of holidayers' itinerary, the traditional kettuvallam has emerged as the mascot of Kerala Tourism.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettuvallam

www.keralatourism.org/houseboat/
http://www.keralahouseboat.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala