This photo is one reason why we love India. The restaurant may be in a dry state, or in this case the liquor license is too expensive, so you can order "special tea." It is cold beer served in a teapot and drunk from a thick mug; all with pleasant laughs and a wink. We never know what surprise will be around the next corner.We flew on Thursday from Bangalore to Cochin in the state of Kerala, located on a long strip of the Arabian Sea on the lower west side of the continent. We expected the usual taxi scrum at the airport but were delighted to find a taxi pre-pay booth right next to a very helpful tourist booth. We jumped in our taxi for the 40 minute drive to our hotel in the town of Fort Cochin.
The comfortable rooms of our hotel, Fort House, are located in a tropical garden, but be sure not to sit under the green mango trees...a direct hit could be fatal. This town was under Portuguese control for centuries and was the the home of Vasco da Gama where he died in 1524. However you can also see the influence of Dutch, Chinese, Syrian Christian and British as well. Very laid back town and obviously friendly to strangers.We have seen the spice markets and a wonderful old ginger packing house where these ladies were washing the ginger, and a sari weaving demonstration.
The Chinese left the tradition of shoreline fishing with gigantic levered fishing nets and the design is still in use today, requiring at least 6 men to lower and raise them. Look closely at the man on the left. 
After a relaxing, laid-back 4 days, tomorrow we will head south to the "Venice of India."
2 comments:
Dad had to do manual labor?? haha Looks neat!
What a wonderful trip. The sun was out a bit yesterday. I weeded for two hours. The peas are sprouting. I hope you are having a wonderful time. I loved the idea of special tea.
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