Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, is located in southwest India on the Arabian Sea. It has the finest sea port south of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and is known for its ship building industry as well as its naval base which is the training centre for the Indian navy. The Portuguese, the first Europeans to come to India, built their settlement here in 1502. It was captured by the Dutch in 1613 and then by the British in 1795. Now of course, India is an independent nation and the queen is no longer their sovereign leader. India is the 7th largest country in the world and one of the most heavily populated.
Shortly after docking here, some local dancers and drummers appeared on the dock to entertain us. This happens in almost every port when we dock.
As soon as we were cleared to go ashore, Mary and Jim and I were off on our tour which would eventually bring us to Agra where the Taj Mahal is located. The agent with whom they booked had arranged for guides and drivers to accompany us everywhere we visited, so we didn’t have to worry about any of the many details such a trip involves.
We were met on the dock by a guide with a car and driver. Off we went for a tour of Kochi, which first of all, took us to the oldest church in the city. It was built by the Portuguese and originally was a place of worship for the Catholics. Now it is used by one of the Protestant religions. Then we were off to the Ficherman’s Village. Here we saw first hand their method of fishing with huge nets which are raised and lowered using pulleys with rocks as weight.
Here we also got our taste of the street vendors who swarm you trying to entice you to see and buy their wares – everything from post cards to magnets,carvings, pottery etc.etc. Our guide’s advice was, “If you don’t want to buy, look straight ahead, don’t make eye contact and don’t speak to them” It works.
Then off we went to a Spice Market where we had the opportunity to shop for spices and hand woven cotton cloth. The prices were super high, so no one spent any money there.
The next stop, for me was very moving – here we saw 6 large, beautiful elephants which are kept specifically to be used in the various celebrations. It was so sad to see these huge, magnificent creatures with their four legs tethered so that they could not even take a step – and this is how they spend their lives. Poor creatures ! ! ! !
A quick walk through one of the temple courtyards took us back to our taxi, which then drove us to the airport where we boarded our plane to go to Delhi.
We arrived in Delhi sometime between 8 and 9 p.m. A driver and guide met us and delivered us to the Taj Palace Hotel, where we were informed that our rooms had been upgraded and believe me, they were FIRST class. After a tasty Indian buffet meal, I allowed myself the luxury of my first bath since the trip began. (Onboard ship, I only have a shower, although some people do have bathtubs in their cabins). I then had a wonderful night’s sleep and got up early in great anticipation of the sights we would see the following day.
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