Cochin

 

Photos - the fishing nets and haggling for a tuk-tuk

 

Cochin

8 June

What an amazing introduction to India. We sailed in just after daylight and were passed by dozens of colorful fishing boats heading out to sea. We went ashore about 9.00. We'd planned to hire a taxi for a few hours to take us to Mattancherry, the old town and following the blog from last year, I planned to head out and find a taxi away from the wharf. I could see taxis and tuk-tuks from the deck so I turned right as we headed down the gangway and was directed by someone from the ship to go left. When we got to the gate, a man in uniform told us we had to take a taxi that was already on the wharf. I was still for going outside but was outvoted so we did take a taxi from inside the gate. It cost us US$10 each (4 of us) for about a three and half hour tour. Could have been longer but we'd seen all we wanted to see. If you come here, don't miss the chinese fishing nets. They were nothing like I'd imagined and for me, were the highlight of the trip. We went to all the places on the ship's tours but didn't go in to many – just got a view and we went to a few out of the way places. The taxi driver was very friendly and helpful but his English wasn't great – much better than my Hindi though. We came back for lunch then headed out in a couple of tuk-tuks just for the experience. We only wanted to go for half an hour or so but were hijacked to a few 'galleries' and had to insist firmly on being taken back to the ship. We actually exited the back gate and hired a tuk-tuk from those waiting off the wharf. In all, was a great experience today and was, what I hear, a gentle introduction to India. Would love to spend a week or so here and get my bearings. Just trip around here and there in a tuk-tuk would be great. Didn't get to the new city across the bay but there are some very interesting buildings there we can see from the ship. Security is huge – armed soldiers on the wharf, strict ID requirements but, who can blame them. We are just about to head up to the top deck for a champagne sailaway with our 'cousins' from our dinner table. Gail told the MaitreD that we were related so we could all sit at the same dining table. The myth of family has grown mightily from then.

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