DAY 35 in Cochin, India

We docked early at 7.00am at the cargo port. There is not a Passenger Terminal here.   Before disembarking we were all required to do a face to face with the Indian Immigration Officers who had boarded the ship. A Visa is required for everyone visiting India.  Once the formalities were completed we were able to disembark the ship.  We weren’t in a hurry so took our time and finally went ashore around 9.45am. Two of our barmen we’ve got to know well were with us and they spoke Hindi to a couple of people who advised us to get our TukTuk from outside the gates of the port as they’re much cheaper. He was right, it was heaps cheaper and we ended up with a wonderful 5 hour tour of Kochi (Cochin in English) for US$20.00 for the two of us. Our driver, Sanjesh was in his 40’s married with three children.  Were learnt that within the first 5 minutes. He had an arranged marriage and was introduced to his bride at the age of 19. We left it in his hands to show us around and I must say he showed us everything there is to see in Cochin. Being a Sunday it was very busy everywhere and the traffic was horrific with absolutely no road rules whatsoever.  I have never seen so many buses, cars, the odd truck and other TukTuks head on before!  Somehow at the last minute all turns out well and everyone squeezes into the narrow road.

We saw some homes of the very rich and some existences of the very poor, and there’s quite a few of the latter. Even visited a laundry operated by very poor people, it looked more like a cowshed with many stalls where men and women were hand washing, sheets, towels, clothes and tablecloths from hotels.  They get paid a pittance, something like 20c for one sheet. Then they also have to iron them as well with antique irons that weigh 7kgs but they iron perfectly. The clothesline where everything is hung out to dry would be an area as big as football field. They looked so hot standing there washing and ironing in the humid conditions with the temperature today reaching 39C. We continued our TukTuk tour visiting the Army and Navy Barracks, churches, museums, the famous traditional fishing nets, and stopping at various shops along the way. Our purchases were very cheap and there’s a huge choice of everything.

We were TukTuking along another narrow street when our driver suddenly turned down this little driveway only just the width of his TukTuk with the side mirrors turned in.  We began to wonder where he was taking us when suddenly here we are outside his house and there’s his wife, three children, 86 year old Father and his sister all there to greet us. Next thing they’re offering us Indian Coffee, Jack Fruit and a pastry thing, no idea what it was. Roy the brave, ate and drank what was on offer, I’m a bit dubious about eating in India so managed to gracefully decline. Their daughter aged 12 appeared with Indian make up for my eyes and before I knew it I looked like someone out of a Bollywood Movie. J They were very welcoming and interested to hear about our life compared to theirs. They didn’t have a computer; you have to be quite wealthy to be able to afford the internet in India. Made me remember or should I say cringe at all the calls I’ve answered at home from India talking to me about my computer!!! 

We took photos of this happy family as they proudly showed us their little home. Then it was time to go, so off we went in our little TukTuk once again.  This time to a little area called Jew town, an old town full of tiny little shops where Tailors are making their clothes to sell.  I bought a pair of white pants for only US$2.00 and Roy two shirts for US$18.00, shirts are more expensive because they have button holes we were told.

Our driver was prepared to stop wherever we wanted him too, and that included the times when I’d say “that shop looks interesting” and suddenly we would come to a screeching halt holding up all the other traffic so we could get out and look in that shop. J

Before arriving in Cochin we were pre-warned that it wasn’t a nice place by some who had visited before but I have to say we thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s full of character and history and the people waved and said hello everywhere we went.  Even the people on the zillions of motor scooters managed a wave and a hello whilst they dodged in and out of the traffic.  Somehow they can fit 4 to one scooter….easily!! No Helmets required here. In comparison it was so much cleaner than both Alexandria and Cairo.

As we re-boarded the ship at the end of our tour we felt very lucky to have had the opportunity to visit this most Southern city in India. 

As I sit out on the balcony typing this we are just about ready to sail and I can hear the chanting from the Mosques calling the Muslims to prayer at 6.00pm. In all the countries of the East we’ve visited on this voyage we’ve heard the chanting from the Mosques booming out at goodness knows what decibels. You could never ever say you didn’t go to prayer because you didn’t hear the call….lol

The predominant religion in Cochin is Catholic and the balance Muslim. Same goes for Goa as well. Whereas Egypt, Jordon and the United Arab Emirates are predominately Muslim.

What a great day exploring Kochi (Cochin) and well worth it too.

Tomorrow we are at sea en-route to Penang.