Tuesday 8th June - Cochin

We left Langkawi and have three days at sea now and are heading across the Bay of Bengal (the largest Bay in the World). Capt McBain has warned us about the unsteady sea conditions and high winds. We can certainly feel the ship moving and shaking. Out on the decks the air is hot and the wind is phenomenal. We are moving fast – probably about 20-21knots. We will be on Cochin on Tuesday 8th June.Arrived in Cochin at 7am. Absolutely no port side facilities, just old sheds. We had booked a tour with Princess – Cochin City Highlights. Diane and George were booked on the same excursion and we arranged to meet in Wheelhouse Bar so that we would end up in the same bus but before our departure from the ship, we had to deal with Indian Immigration. .


We moved into Princess Theatre and waited our turn to depart. Down stairs to Deck 4 we clambered and there waiting for us was a table with three Indian officials. I went first and my Landing Document was signed by the first person, stamped by the second person and signed again by the third person. All totally meaningless but that’s the way it is in India. Off we went, down the gangplank, had our obligatory gangplank photos taken and headed along the dock to the gates. Soldiers were dotted all along and at the gate there was a group standing around. My document was checked and I was told I could head out the gate to the area where our buses were parked. But hang on, George,Diane and Ray were all told they would have to go back to the ship because they didn’t have THE STAMP on their document.. George said, “that’s because the guy in the middle got up and went to the loo or something – it’s not our fault” No No No, back you go and I was told again that I could go to the bus. So here was our first experience of Indian Officialdom = self produced chaos. Finally we boarded our bus last, but at least we were on the tour. The bus was old, but it had windows and it had some form of airconditioning because it was cool. Metal fans were strung from the roof but they weren’t in use. The local buses are horrendous – no windows and packed tight – women at the front and men down the back.


Well, nothing could quite prepare you for India. I had heard it was a land of contrasts and to be prepared for the smell. The smell wasn’t too bad – just a faint odd smell every so often. The traffic is a nightmare – many tuk tuks and cabs. Everybody goes fast, and often up the wrong side of the road. In Cochin, education is free, so there were many schools. The children all wore uniforms and looked immaculate. Medical treatment is also free. A program has been introduced for women to sweep the streets – so all along the streets are little piles of rubbish neatly swept up – but it seems that no one ever comes along to remove them – and the sidestreets were just dreadful – rubbish everywhere.
Driving is amazing – everyone just goes and toots. Cars all seem to go in different directions but somehow don’t seem to crunch each other.
Our first stop was St Francis Church - Vasco Da Gama memorial stone. Amazing teak carvings.


Fishing Nets were donated by the Chinese – streets are dirty. Fish are sold off the ground nearby.


Dutch Palace – too many people – hot. No photography allowed here and it has been set up as a museum. Jewish Synagogue – no leather allowed here – thought that would only affect the men and their belts then realised it also meant purses. Had to be covered up to enter. Decided not to bother. Too many people, too hot but as a result we ended up standing around waiting for those who did go inside. And then our Guide Raj left us in the street to shop but we had no idea where the bus was and all the nearby streets looked the same so we were frightened to move. Enjoyed the first part of this tour but the end part was tedious. As we headed to the Dock a policeman came on board to check our documents and also under seats –still not sure what he was looking for. But no dramas we were then allowed to enter the dock area.


Lots of green weed in the water but it didn’t seem as bad as what was described last year.

We are the last ship for the season in Cochin because Monsoon Season has begun.