Woke up docked in India. Went through immigration routine in a building nearby. First taste of 75% and up humidity. 90 degree heat also. Took a morning tour to Cochin. This city is made up of five islands joined by bridges. A large shipping community. The Indian navy is there and there are also large ship building facilities. Ship repairs as well as well as the usual shipping activities requiring cranes and warehouses. Cochin has been a trading post since Roman times. It was the main route between Europe and China. We arrived the day that India was celebrating their harvest festival. Our tour bus bumped along streets that were practically empty and were told that very few shops were open because everyone was busy going to temples and then celebrating with their families. We went first to a Hindu temple. We were not allowed inside, but we were able to see the worshipers dressed in their best clothes going in and out. Some teenagers had put henna designs on their hands and posed for pictures. Many women were wearing off white saris with gold trim. This is traditional. Most were dressed in beautiful colorful saris. It was nice to see lots of people taking family pictures. Back on the bus to drive to a spice shop that sold betel nut, cinnamon, cardamom and other exotic spices. They had a woman there demonstrating how to weave a silk sari. She was in her late eighties. The loom was quite large and she was tiny. They had air conditioning so we were reluctant to leave. We walked next to a restaurant and were treated to fried bananas and cold drinks. Another walk (walking slower) to a Dutch Palace with beautiful pictures in the walls illustrating the Ramayana. Look it up on Wikipedia. We have seen this story in Buddhist and Hindu temples and are getting better at recognizing the highlights a little bit. The Palace had many things that the various rulers had used. I liked the litters that carried them around in. Never saw a real one in person. Looked very uncomfortable. Walked very, very slowly to the Paradesi Synagogue. This synagogue was built in 1568. It is no longer in use. There was once a large Jewish community, but it most of the population went to Israel. It was small and beautiful. Lots of lamps and bright colors. Blue and white Dutch tiles in the floor. Walked back to the bus for one last stop. A laundry! 95%in the locals do their own laundry. This is how the 5% get by. They call and get same day service with pick up and delivery. No one gets anyone else’s laundry returned to them. This is a pride factor for them. The irons are filled with burning coal to make them hot. They do have washing machines and a few dryers. They prefer to air dry. (The air was not making us dry). Amazing! No wonder they are in the tourist list. By this time we were not dry anywhere on our bodies. We got back on the bumpy bus and got back about two. Got to eat and lie down before we got back on busses (All 600+) for the Azamara Amazing Evening for this leg of the trip. I will blog that tomorrow as I am out of steam! (Steam…….iron…..laundry…..: oh, never mind!!!)
I did not get all the pictures in a row. Be prepared to jump around.
Where in the world is Dalna 