1 March 2016 Udaipur to Kerala and Kochi
/We had a particularly early start because our day required air travel to Mumbai with a 5 hour stopover before we then joined another flight to Kerala in the South West of the Indian Continent.
so we received a wake up call at 4.00am and departed the hotel for the 45 minute trip back to Udaipur Airport and then progressed through the mandatory 3-4 security checks before boarding our flight back to Mumbai where we met our new guide. Her name is Jeanette and she is beautifully dressed and speaks perfect English.
On reaching Mumbai we then depart the airport and drive for nearly 70 minutes to see the Dholiwaller which has the communal laundry with the amazing hundreds of clothes lines and the washing which is done at a cost the 10 rupees per piece and no funds are charged and paid for until a total of 100 pieces are washed.
We were then accosted at the bottom of the bus and overlooking the laundry from the railway bridge, by about 50 hawkers all selling tourist junk.
Before departing the site we also watched local trains with people hanging from every doorway. Quite amazing being caught up in a sea of humanity. We departed and then went to the Orchard Hotel for lunch before we returned to the airport for our flight to Kochin. The flight was 1 hour 45 minutes and as you approach the South you notice the immediate transformation of green landscape and water everywhere. We subsequently found out that the area has over 3000 mm ie 120 inches concentrated in the Monsoon months.
Our hotel is located on the harbour before the entrance to the backwater area named Vivanta by Taj. It is a beautiful property with lush green lawns and garden running down to the water and beautiful antique teak furnishings throughout.
The temperature here is daily 94 F plus with 85-90 percent humidity but with no rainfall until later this month and April with h.eavy afternoon showers before the full monsoon arrives in late May early June annually.
At 5.10pm we depart from the mooring on a sunset cruise through the harbour area and see the Chinese fishing nets (crane like) whilst cruising in Cochin Harbour. we see a superb sunset and then slowly take in the many spectacular homes built during the Portugese and English reigns of this city.
Dinner is in the Hotel at "Rice Steamboat" restaurant and we had a superb meal including lobster and Jeanette enjoyed the Chef's sampler. We sat with Jim and Rosie and Jean and Jim. They have become good friends.
The next morning came quickly and we have a very buy morning with a breakfast in "Pepper" restaurant followed by an excellent lecture on this area and the geo politics of the rise of India post the English withdrawal and independence and the international icon and the economic powerhouse which is the emerging India today.
Then we visited the Mattencherry District here in Cochin where we visited the Dutch Palace and the Jew Area and Synagogue and did some shopping before lunching at Brunton's Boatyard in the "Armoury Restaurant ". It was a superb meal of several courses of Indian food served in a beautiful restaurant overlooking the harbour and the passing sea traffic of many large container and cargo ships as well as a myriad of passenger ferry vehicles. There is a large Costa cruise ship in the port as part of a world cruise leg, so the local traffic increased dramatically and made movement both more difficult and time consuming.
We then returned to the Hotel for about 2 hours to rest and use the wonderful lounge, spa and other facilities before departing for Nimmy Paul's home where she is to provide a cooking demonstration and then serve a meal. Nimmy Paul is an Indian celebrity chef who entertains from her house and teaches her cooking. A night to remember with a wonderful meal.
Back to the hotel at 9.20pm then do some packing as we then move on to another resort in Kerela / Cochin called Kumarakom Lake Resort which is one of India's premier resorts.