Fai Tira blog Friday 4^th  February 2011

Indian Ocean 07:43.74N 98:46.20E

Cochin is a vibrant Indian city and we enjoyed our time there.  Here are a few pictures and comments about the place.

Our arrival into Cochin harbour via a narrow channel was quite exciting as we were passed by numerous fishing boats and an ex-British frigate.

It was later reported that the Indian Navy had captured some pirates and sunk their boat.  Well done guys!  It’s a shame the British Navy in the Gulf of Aden don’t do the same.

After a tortuous check-in procedure we eventually arrived at the marina.  This was associated with a state-owned and managed hotel and was very nice since we could use all the facilities, as you can see.  The marina is the only one in India and hence a tourist attraction.  We were regularly visited by tour boats with their music blasting and the operator telling the story of its uniqueness.

We organised a backwaters tour which the Fai Tira crew enjoyed.  John has mentioned this in the previous blog.

This is a huge area of fresh water with whole communities eking out an existence on the many islands that are scattered throughout.

There were two “boat boys” called Nazar: one was chubby and the other skinny so we called them Fat Nazar and Thin Nazar accordingly.  They were in competition for our business and there was no love lost between them.  We used both of them and got really friendly with each.  They couldn’t do enough for you, from fetching cases of beer and supplies to cleaning you boat, and trucking us around in their tuk tuks as you can see here in Fat Nazar’s speed machine.  Jeremy and Steve look a little apprehensive as we all were, ducking and diving through the crazy traffic. The name Gordon Jackie Brown at the top of his windscreen is that of a generous Englishman who assists the family in various ways.

Steve, Maureen, Jeremy and I went for a visit to the old town called Fort Cochin.  It is on an island and you can only get there by ferry or by fishing boat as you can see above. 

Fort Cochin is where they fish with Chinese fishing nets but nowadays they are mostly used to entice the tourist to part with rupees.  The fish market along the front was great, you could buy what you wanted for dinner and take it to any one of the many restaurants and get it cooked for very little.  We did this and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  We also went for a drink in a local bar that didn’t have a licence so they served up our beers in teapots with cups and saucers.  How bizarre.   

Talking of bazaars, I went into town and wandered the markets and back streets on my own and came across some great sights and people.

The fruit and veg market was extensive, and where you could buy almost anything edible. The ambiance was fantastic. I saw an Ashok Leyland truck down a side street and asked the driver if I could have a look inside.  He was really proud of his decorated British engineered lorry. I also stumbled across the local swimming pool. The water not quite as nice as in the one at the hotel.  The boys took great delight in showing me their diving and jumping skills.

More later, Pete.