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.
