Optional Tour to Cochin, India
In Harmony With The Rhythmic Village, the People, Nature,
the Colonial Colors, Art, Culture and Traditions.
April 27, 2013
Exclusive 1 Day Program
SOLD OUT
Escorted by Sanjay Goel, President of CMEatSEA and Cruise Connections Canada
There is an unending story on Cochin which is recorded in the history. Cochin still has a great flavor of all the traditions passed by Keralites and they are always known for their hospitality which attracted many foreign cultures to enter but not distracting from the strong tradition and culture the people already had for generations. Cochin is known as the commercial capital of Kerala from the very beginning as the major port situated here with a unique feature which is of a Natural Harbor. Many traders visited Cochin mainly for Spices and Kerala still maintains a strong role in the production of cash crops and Spices among the other Indian States.
Cochin, known as the queen of the Arabian Sea is one of the most interesting cities of India and has one of the finest natural harbors in the world. A root-conscious people of Kerala have preserved their past not only in the form of history books but also in the form of monuments and palaces. Places, palaces and institutions of historic value are being preserved conscientiously. Any visitor who walks through Fort Cochin area will feel the colonial touch being maintained by the locals. Many old Historic buildings are being converted into heritage and boutique hotels but maintaining the beauty of ages.
Willingdon Island
Your vessel lands in Willingdon Island, which contains the modern port serving Cochin city of Kerala. The island is an artificial man-made island created from the sand dug out while deepening Kochi port. It has been named after Lord Willingdon, the former Madras governor, who was instrumental in implementing this island project. The main engineer spearheading this project, however, was Robert Bristow. When the British withdrew from India after independence in 1947, they left behind an indispensable and significant transport hub. During its short colonial tenure, the Wellingdon Island in Cochin handled almost one million tons of freight and by the year 1960, the traffic had almost doubled. It is a major artificial port in India and serves as a major landmark in the Kochi city of Kerala. The Wellington Island also serves as a link between the city and some other seaports of the world.
On your arrival at the new Passenger Terminal for Cruise Liners, located at Willingdon Island, you will be picked up for the drive to Poothottaa - a small island village with 9 families living there. Kerala is known for its high standards in education and health levels of the people. The villages are not an exception for the above features as people are conscious about the necessity of hygiene and high standards of education. The standard of living in the villages of Kerala are much higher than the other states of India. People in the villages are known for their traditional hospitality and warmth in respecting and receiving guests. Your drive from the port to the village will take you through the royal city of Cochin, Tripunithura and many small villages.
You will be received at the village mainland in a traditional way by the villagers accompanied by the traditional musical band which is normally used for festivals. Later you will board the traditional country boat for a short cruise through the beautiful backwater canals to reach the village. Poothotta Island village is full of coconut trees, banana plants, fishing ponds and small coir making units which are all the livelihood of the villagers. You will witness the entire process of coir making at a village house starting from climbing the Coconut Tree, plucking the Coconut, opening it up ,taking out the husk the decaying process, beating up the husk to take out the fiber and finally coir making. You can also try making your piece of rope to carry home. You will also watch the toddy tapping. Toddy is a favorite drink for the villagers as its so pure and direct from the Coconut flower. It will be alcoholic when it gets fermented after 2-3 hours after taking from the Coconut. There will be the opportunity for a canal cruise if anyone wishes to try it out and local refreshments will be served.
Fort Cochin
After the morning visit, you will leave the island with everlasting memories of a lifetime experience. On reaching the mainland, you will drive to Fort Cochin for lunch.
Upon arrival at Brunton Boatyard we will have an exclusive Lunch for our group. Everything in Fort Cochin has a history, same with Hotel Brunton Boatyard lunch will be served.
The Brunton Boatyard Hotel is a tribute to another age. Resurrected from the remains of a Victorian shipbuilding yard, it gives the modern traveller a unique opportunity to dwell amidst the shadow-plays of 19th century history. The recreated period building blends in perfectly with its colonial era surroundings: once-great trading houses from the high era of commerce, when the pepper of Kerala was as precious as gold. Like the cultures they celebrate, the hotel's interiors too, are an eclectic blend of English, Portuguese and Dutch influences. Soaring ceilings, hanging fans, and everywhere, artifacts and curios from the great age of steam and sail.
Your tasty lunch will be colored by Kathakali ,the stately dance of Kerala. Kathakali make-up is the slow metamorphosis of mortals into immortal deities and demons. The artists will demonstrate while you prepare for your lunch and even few artists will do the make up part for you. Elements of the art of Kathakali are believed to have been gradually developed in Kerala from as early as the 2nd century until the end of the 16th century. Kathakali as an individual style of dance-drama emerged as a 'people's theatre’ from the traditional dances of the past. Kathakali as we now see it therefore dates back to about the time that Shakespeare was writing his plays. The performances given in Malabar at that time by troupes of actors were formed by and enjoyed the patronage of the local Rajah's and other noblemen (especially the Namboodiris, or Brahmins of Malabar) must in many ways have been similar to the Masques which were in vogue in England in the 16th and 17th centuries, in which masked performers acted and danced, developing into a form of drama with music, then Kathakali has passed through many stages of improvement in make-up and costume, dance forms and acting techniques.
Departure from Brunton Boatyard to a Chinese Fishing Net for a demo on Catching Fish. You can join the activities along with the traditional local fishermen.
The Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala) are fishing nets that are fixed land installations for an unusual form of fishing — shore operated lift nets. They are mostly found in the Indian state of Kerala. Huge mechanical contrivances hold out horizontal nets of 20 m or more across. Each structure is at least 10 Mtrs high and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end. Each installation is operated by a team of up to six fishermen. The system is sufficiently balanced that the weight of a man walking along the main beam is sufficient to cause the net to descend into the sea. The net is left for a short time, possibly just a few minutes, before it is raised by pulling on ropes. The catch is usually modest: a few fish and crustaceans — these may be sold to passers by within minutes.
After the fishing demonstration, you will proceed for a quick tour of Cochin to visit some of the historical sights. To start with St Francis Church, built in 1510 by friars brought to India by Vasco da Gama, is the first European church built in India and is the site where Vasco da Gama was buried. You will also visit the "Dutch Palace" which was built in the 1550s; the palace contains excellent mythological murals and a rare example of traditional Keralite flooring - a subtle mix of burnt coconut shells, lime, plant juices and egg whites - which gives the effect of polished marble. You may also spend little time for buying some mementos of Kerala.
** PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary, hotels, restaurants and tours are subject to change.