I booked a private tour of Allepey by Houseboat Cruise and
Fort Kochi with Cochin Magic (Backwaters cruise) We were joined today by Karen
& Steve, Julie & Jeff and Janie & Rick.
We were up early to have our face to face with the India
Immigration people. The tour didn’t start until 8:30, but we had to do
immigration at 7:45.
There was a market set up at the pier that was calling
everyone’s name and one couple asked if we could meet them there which was of
course OK. However, word spread and another couple went off without meeting us
in the Casino Lounge. We were still waiting for one other couple. I told Greg
if they weren’t there by 8:00 I’d go out and shop and he’d come out with them.
One of them had already been out shopping and went back on. I went out at 8:00.
Two people even came on board to drop things they had bought, but no one
stopped to tell Greg to come on down. I was to wave him down when we found the
last couple, if they didn’t come to the lounge. Eventually, we all met up
together and we were off on tour.
sunrise
the pier from the ship
market on the pier
tour guides waiting for the tourists
Our guide was Rajesh and I don’t know how to spell the
driver’s name.
First, we had a short drive to Fort Kochi to tour Cochin. Cochin
(Kochi) was the center of the Indian spice trade for many centuries. The
Portuguese arrived in 1500 AD, followed by Saint Francis Xavier, who opened a Christian
mission in 1530. The Dutch overthrew the Portuguese in 1663, and eventually
ceded Cochin to the British in 1814. In 1947, when India gained independence
from the British, Kochi joined the Indian Union. Cochin’s population reflects
its diverse history, and is a mix of Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Jews.
from the van
We stopped at St. Francis Church which was quite humble.
the long white cloth makes a fan
she was cleaning up outside
local market along the street
back in the van to the fishing nets
Then, we drove to the next stop for a short walking tour of Cochin. We saw
Cochin’s famous Chinese Fishing Nets. We even got to go on board and use the
ropes to bring in “our catch”. They were quite interesting to see.
mushrooms on the tree
walk to the fishing nets
fishing net
fishing nets
fishermen with nets
cute puppy on the beach
we got to work the fishing nets
our catch....don't laugh
walking back to the van
Then, we drove an hour and a half to Allepey for a
Backwaters cruise on a traditional houseboat called a Kettuvallam in rural state
of Kerala.
yes, it's a real elephant....
fishing nets as we crossed the bridge
me, Jeff, Rick, Greg, Janie, Karen & Steve
The houseboats were really interesting looking. Ours had 2 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a huge kitchen and out
front was a dining area and lots of seating. Since it was a private tour, the 8
of us had the boat to ourselves. The river was bustling with lots of those
types of boats as well as other forms of boats.
walking down an alley to get to the houseboats
me trying not to get hit by the vehicles
Greg
we walked through this one to get to ours on the other side
all aboard!
Karen, me, Steve, Rick & Janie
Rick & Janie
the galley
dining area
I can SO drive this thing....
looking out of the front of the boat with 2 other boats in front
Julie in the center
Kerala's network of navigable backwaters stretches to cover
a thousand kilometers. These serene waterways are fringed by palm grove and rice
paddy fields and offer a striking spectacle of rustic life. Allepey is among
the few places in the world where farming is done below sea-level, using a
system of dykes. The backwaters act as a vital waterway for the transport of
goods, people and their produce are often the only link between isolated
villages and crowded towns.
this bird was not having a good day....
building a roof
rice fields
fish farm
Rick & Janie
Cormorant with a fish
Julie & Jeff
Karen
Steve
Cormorant with a fish
shampoo time
boat almost swamped with bags of rice
the cook
bird on the boat
another bird on the boat
What a great relaxing day we had with special friends. I
really enjoy these types of tours where you see the locals just living life as
we pass by. They were washing clothes in the river, bathing, washing dishes,
farming fish and ducks, driving boats loaded down with bags of rice, concrete,
sea shells and a few floating restaurants and stores.
All too soon it was time to make the drive back to port. The
lush and green countryside with palm trees was just beautiful.
sail away...
We really love India. It is such a different and vibrant country.
We have learned to embrace the sights, the sounds and the smells! It’s chaotic,
yet orderly. (it works for them)
We were back in time to have dinner in the dining room and
the show was Michael Falzon who was a great singer and entertainer.
Thank goodness we have a sea day to rest up until Mumbai.
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