Kochi, India

Friday, March 18^th, 2011  89 degrees                                      10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

After leaving Singapore we proceed through the Malacca Strait towards India.  Malacca Strait is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world due to its geographical position.  Al vessels from Europe, the Persian Gulf and India headed for Malaysia, Singapore and other Asian ports to the northeast pass through Malacca and Singapore Straits.  We move into the Indian Ocean, the third largest of the world’s oceanic divisions, covering about 20% of the water on the Earth’s surface.  It is bounded on the north by Asia; on the west by Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunday Islands and Australia; and on the south by the Southern Ocean.  After crossing the Bay of Bengal we approached the southern tip of India passing Sri Lanka.  The southern tip of India is marked by Cape Comorin.  After passing Cape Comorin we will adjust our course to the northwest and follow the coast towards Kochi.

860 miles south of Bombay.  One of west coasts largest and oldest parts.  Its proximity to the equator, the sea, and the mountains, provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate.  Vibrant city on southwest coast of the Indian peninsula.  Kochi is in the province of Kerala rated in the top 3 touring destinations by the World Travel and Tourism Council.  It is comprised of Fort Cochin and Mattancheri.  Believed to be the first European settlement in India.  The flag was raised in 1500 by the Portuguese, and Vasco da Gama arrived in Cochin in 1502.  Agriculture is the chief economic activity.  Kochi with its naval base and shipbuilding industry, is the primary training center for the Indian Navy.



Portugese Museum





Church of St. Francis




Fans made out of fabric (Punka Valla)



Snake charmer




Chinese fiahing nets





Mattancherry Palace

We went on a shore excursion “Cultures of Kochi”.  Visited the Portugese Museum.  We then drove to the Arabian Sea to view the Chinese Fishing Nets and the fish market.  Our next stop was the Church of St. Francis where we saw for the first time Punka Valla fans which are made out of fabric and used to cool the church.  Someone has to go outside the building to pull the ropes to operate the fans.  This was the original burial place of Vasco de Gama.

Our next stop was Mattancherry Palace  (Dutch Palace).  We saw many beautiful murals and coronation robes as well as weapons.  Next we went to the Jewish section where the streets are crammed with stores selling curios, saris, jewelry, handicrafts and souvenirs.



Jewish section - shopping