DAY 79-COCHIN, INDIA

 Arrived at dock here in Cochin a little late this morning so was not tied up at 9:00.  Suppose to sail this evening at 6:00 pm but doubt that will happen on time.  Immigration has to check every passenger's passports prior to leaving on tours.  It is sunny with morning haze and high temp to be near mid 90's.  OUCH!

BACKGROUND INFO:
       We spent two days here on our 2013 cruise.  Kochi, also known as Cochin, is a major port on southwestern coast of India on the Arabian Sea.  It has been a trading post since Roman times due to its location between China and Europe, specifically the Indian spice trade.  Much like Burma, the British ruled India from 1814 to 1947 when it gained its independence.
        The population of Cochin is just over 600,000 but the metro population exceeds 2 million.  (47% are Hindu and 35% are Christian)  It is a modern looking city with very few slums.  In addition to traditional port activities, the industries here manufacture fertilizers, pesticides, rubber processing, and a very large oil refinery.  If you own a Dell computer, you may have talked to one of the techies here.  There are several information technology centers for US companies in abundance here due to cheap labor costs and a well educated IT workforce.  India’s Southern Naval Command is headquartered here.  Tourism is another major economic driver of the local economy.  In summary, I would say that Cochin is a prosperous, modern city with a diversified economy.

WHAT WE DID TODAY:
       My tour this morning departed at 9:15 shortly after docking in Cochin.  I explored the tranquil waters and byways of Kerala (one of the states of India), with its palm fringed backwaters on my 8 hour excursion.  The backwaters act as a vital waterway for the transportation of goods, people and their produce, often the only link between isolated villages and crowded towns. In Kerala, one of the most beautiful states in India and known as "God's Own Country," the total expanse of backwater stretches from north to south over 900 miles, with a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes.  This morning, we drove to the village of Alleppey, surrounded by coconut plantations and famous for its narrow maze of canals and backwaters. A place of immense natural beauty, Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, is referred to as the Venice of the East. After a brief pee break at a local resort,  we boarded motor launches for a leisurely boat ride past coconut thatched houses and old colonial warehouses, surrounded by beautiful scenery. I got a glimpse into the lives of local families living along the banks of the canals as they go about their daily household chores. The house boats were amazing.  The well-known Vallamkali, Snake Boat Festival, originated here.  Following the cruise, we arrived at the Lake Palace Resort or Punnamada Resort for lunch for delicious Kerala delicacies.  After a nice lunch we departed via bus for Fort Cochin with an overview of the Chinese Fishing nets before returning to the pier after a long day.
       I got back to the ship just before dinner time so will put the photos I took today on blog tomorrow, or at least try to.  My tour today was excellent and think you will enjoy the photos.  In the meantime, I want to share the photos of Cochin I took back in 2013.  They are really good and know you will enjoy seeing them.

https://goo.gl/photos/h8mUyWHiw4rHnaM76