Day 76 - Cochin, India

 

Date:  March 25, 2007

 

Location:  Day 76 – Cochin, India

 

Next Port:  Mumbai, India (Trip to Taj Mahal), March 26-27

 

Quick Summary:  We enjoyed our first experience in India with our visit to Cochin. We explored thewaterways, watched fishermen use the famous Chinese fishing nets, witnessed village life along the river banks and saw two wedding processions. We met delightful children in the old town shopping area and among those who came to watch Voyager’s Sunday evening departure.

 

Report:   Cochin (pop. 1 million) is the anchor of low-lying central Kerala, a region dominated by lazy inland waterways, rice fields and fishing boats. It is one of the largest and oldest ports on India’s west coast. The city is spread out over the mainland, a peninsula and several islands. The airport and port facilities are located on a man-made island.

 

The state of Kerala has a population of 32 million. Surprisingly, in this Hindu nation, 45% of the Keralans are Christians. That’s probably due to the Apostle Doubting Thomas setting up a series of churches in the region and the colonization by the Portuguese centuries later.  The people are very proud that all the religions and races get along in harmony… something we’ve found in many of the places we have visited. (It’s too bad there are so many other areas of the world where they can’t.)

 

We pulled into Cochinthrough a hazy sunrise right behind the larger QE2 (Queen Elizabeth 2), also on its World Cruise. (She was to remain overnight, but we should see her again in Mumbai. We understand she’s going “round the world in 80 days” vs. our 111.)

 

We passed by a series of the famous bamboo and teak structures hovering over the waterfront – the famous cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. (We’d see many more on our backwater tour.)

 

Voyager’s welcoming committee included three elephants with colorful headpieces, costumed riders with umbrellas, dancers with huge headdresses and a loud band. Capt. Dag and Staff Capt. Daniel fed the elephants some fruit while we waited for customs to clear the ship.

 

It was just a short bus ride to a small tourist boat for a ride along Cochin’s river and backwaters. We saw people fishing in small round boats, more of the Chinese fishing nets and stakes in the water that were connected to other seine nets. We also passed by a tremendous number of small ocean-going fishing boats – many were gaily painted. Many of the boat names were written in English and were of a religious nature.

 

Along the shore we saw a wedding reception from which our boat attracted lots of smiling and waving boys and men. We also saw a village festival that included some elephants. We passed a large Catholic church and could hear the singing of a children’s choir.

 

Our tour ended at the Taj Malabar Hotel where we had refreshments and a performance of kathakali, an ages-old Indian dance drama featuring elaborate masks, costumes and many special posed moves depicting various emotions and situations. It was pretty complicated and not particularly exciting sitting under a canopy on a hot, sticky day!

 

Larry found another local wedding reception going on in the hotel and was able to take some delightful photos of the wedding party. He was unable to take one of the bride as she was another room, and he didn’t want to intrude.

 

After a quick lunch on Voyager, we headed off in a cab with Judy(Kirk decided to keep the ship running while we were gone!) for the shopping in the old part of Cochin. Larry went along to see the sights.

 

We had a fun time while the ladies made a few purchases…including a silk sari and lamp globes by Judy and two skirts by Karen…plus a few presents.

 

We returned to the ship via tuck-tuck…three-wheeled, three-passenger, covered motor scooter taxis. Quite a precarious ride. Thankfully it was Sunday and the traffic was fairly light.

 

Upon returning to the ship we were once again besieged by poor vendors selling primarily postcards and feather fans. Karen had some of her “pillow chocolates” and gave them to a few of the vendors for their children. We then noticed that lots of families dressed in their Sunday best were beginning to gather for the Voyager’s 6:00 p.m. sailing.

 

We went to our suite to get some more of the chocolates – Karen has been saving hers for just such purposes. Well, it was a great experience – the highlight of our day. We enjoyed talking to several families and sharing the chocolates with beautiful, smiling, appreciative children.

 

Our sail-away party included band music, dancing, champagne and special cocktails on the pool deck. Voyager’s departure – accompanied by loud booming horn blasts by Capt. Dag – must have been the major Sunday attraction in Cochin. As we went down the river and out the channel, the sides were lined with thousands of Indians…including one large beach area where there were crowds standing in the water.

 

We enjoyed the last of the sunset in the Observation Lounge, a couple dances to Frankie’s music, and then dinner in La Veranda with Judy and Kirk. A very enjoyable first day in India.

 

Now it’s one more sea day before our arrival in Mumbai (Bombay) and our overnight in Agra at the Taj Mahal!

 

Karen and Larry

 

 

Photos of our cruise are available at the following web site:

picasaweb.google.com/larryworldcruise

 

Photos of our day in Cochin have been added.