We set of at 9.30 after breakfast as planned for the day in Kochi.
Eugine has planned a walk around the old part of Fort Cochin and then Jew Town.
About 30 mins later we arrive and our planned 20 mins becomes more like 35 but the old town is nice. We stroll down some old streets, see the beach, walk past Eugine’s old school, pass the old Dutch Cemetery and go into St Francis’s Church which is the oldest Christian Church in India. The Queen visited a few years ago. It is fascinating with a tin roof, old fashioned fans – Punkas – which would have been pulled by punka wallas in years gone by. We then visit the Chinese fishing nets on the harbour …. the most photographed thing in Kochi …. We get a chance to get on the nets and the kids have a go at pulling up the net and catching fish …. this has become a tourist attraction rather than a commercial fishing operation…. How sad.
The walk seems a bit rushed to me and I would have liked more time to explore the streets. Eugine then leads us to Brights Residency! We visit the a/c emporium on the ground floor. B is annoyed as it is very commercial and Nick and I guess Eugine has promised to take us there as we cancelled the 1000 rupee a head dinner the night before and the hotel wants to get something back. But perhaps we are wrong.
We asked to get a chance to explore a bit but apparently the synagogue we are to visit shuts at 1 pm and it is now 12 so unless we get moving we will not see it. 15-20 mins later we reach Jew town which is very busy. We are also visiting the local museum in an old Dutch palace and as neither allow camera and the synagogue does not allow bags everything is left on the bus including money. It seems odd walking around with none of the tourist bits!
Good to see you back on line and read all about it. You are certainly having an eventful time! Looking forward to seeing an “edited” collection of pics when you get back.