Up at 7:00.
Continental breakfast at 8:00.
Off the ship at 9:15.
In immigration line at 9:16.
Through immigration at 9:17!!!!

Our tour today was in this flourishing port city, also known as Kochi, on the southwest coast of India in the state of Kerala. Its nickname is Queen of the Arabian Sea possibly because it was the center of the Indian spice trade for centuries. Chinese, Dutch, Arab, and Jewish influences transformed the area into a melting pot of different traditions after a flood created its irresistible port in 1341.

We were welcomed at the port by beautifully dressed women offering a red bindi to anyone interested (count me in) and four people dressed in vibrantly colored and beautiful carnival costumes.

Even with only ten percent of the population of Mumbai, it is a large, bustling city. Scooters and three-wheeled tuk tuks dominate the roads with bicycles and cars in stiff competition. It was humid today, an indication of its tropical climate and 122 inches of rain a year. Not only were the gods of hospitality smiling on us (no wait at immigration), the weather gods were too, because rain was predicted but did not materialize.

Our group boarded a bus that gives Dolly Parton’s A Coat of Many Colors a run for its money! It shouted Welcome to India and reminded me of our bus in Panama. The seats and ceiling were upholstered in royal blue brushed velvet that had swoops, swishes, and swipes of bright contrasting colors. The headrests and back of each seat had a bright tangerine colored removable wrap.

The most fascinating stop of the day was at the city’s iconic cantilevered Chinese fishing nets which were first set up in the 14th century and line the harbor’s beautiful beaches. The Portuguese introduced this type of fishing which continues today mostly on behalf of tourists like us. Large fishing platforms are built over the water on small piers. Huge nets are lifted in and out of the water capturing whatever happens to swim by.

The most surprising stop of the day goes to the 16th-century Church of St. Francis, one of the oldest European churches in the country. The surprise is that the famous explorer Vasco da Gama, the first Portuguese sailor to reach the shores of Kerala, died here in 1524 during his third visit to Kochi. We visited his burial spot inside the church. (Sidebar: Fourteen years later his son took his father’s body back to Portugal.)

Of interest was a palace the Dutch built in the 16th century. It’s official name is Mattencherry Palace but the nickname Dutch Palace seems to have stuck. It is a museum today and home to cherished Hindi frescos, royal palanquins, antique weapons, and more.

We had a quick stroll through the Jewish district before heading back to the ship. It has a beautiful synagogue but few Jewish residents remain. We shopped spice stores and what-not shops but did not find any treasures to take home.

Speaking of shopping, friendly street venders were everywhere and loaded with everything from peacock feather fans to blingy umbrellas (that I almost bought) to musical instruments, smoothies, clothing, carvings, and handbags. I had fun bargaining for two puzzles.

We were told to expect up to a three hour wait on our return to the ship because we had to go through immigration to depart the country. Instead of a three hour wait, we had more like a three minute wait. We breezed though somewhere south of 2:00 o’clock and headed straight to the buffet where we grazed until we looked at our watches and realized it was tea time. We executed the seemingly impossible feat of transitioning straight to tea. All but Cleone that is; she sat with us but did not embarrass herself. Quick showers took us to cocktails and then to the 7:00 show which was a dazzling performance by the Celebrity singers, dancers, and aerialist. Then off to bed with us.

… Oh Really …

India is a country of a zillion languages, 22 of which are official languages.
Hindi is the most common.
An additional 100 are not officially recognized by the government but exist none the less.
Add dialects and mother tongues and you’ve got yourself hundreds of other options.

Approximately 70% of the world’s spices come from India.

Not that it ever crossed your mind, but at 90 feet tall, India is home to the world’s largest sundial
and the world’s tallest statue. The Statue of Unity is 600 feet tall.

India’s national beverage is tea.
India is the world’s second largest producer of tea after China.

No surprise that India is home to loads of inventions.
Here are just a few: shampoo, yoga, refined sugar, cataract surgery,
high quality steel, tonsillectomies, the catapult, diamond mining and diamond tools,
jute cultivation, indigo, squat toilets,
the use of checks in financial transactions, and on and on and on.

… Completely Beside the Point …

My wedding dress was made of Indian lace by Mother’s dressmaker in Bangkok.
Cyd’s maid of honor dress was made out of Indian sari fabric.