Kochi

“Kochi Kathakali performances leave you mesmerised”

-Anonymous

We departed early as the as the drive would be slow down a very winding road it took nearly 5 hours to travel 130km. It was Sunday so the road was busy with locals on day trips and visiting family and friends.

We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant. Which was so crowded the menu was very local so I had a biryani yummy but spicy.

Finally we arrived at the Brunton Boatyard (our hotel) which was a good example of Portuguese and Dutch architecture with a lot of colonial history. It was situated on the harbour a great location with the restaurant providing you a great view of the ferry transporting locals to the many other islands in the estuary. The Ferry were so old and soo noisey you could hear them dock and depart every 10 minutes thank goodness the first is 7.00am and last 10.00pm and my room was at the opposite end so a little quieter.

The water ways around d Cochin are being strangled by water spinach/ morning glory which is virtually impossible to control it creates an environmental disaster as it floated on the water taking the oxygen blocking light and captures all the rubbish that ends up in the water. To try and control it takes a long time if you cut it and leave to roots it will spread uncontrollable.

The water front is very beautiful to look at if if bypass the water spinach there are fishing nets along the waterfront but when you look at the catch in Australia we would say they are all under size.

A morning walk through the streets was interesting as you can see the history of the Portuguese and Dutch by the buildings with Hindu temple appear so interesting to remind you that you are in India

A visit Kochi would not be complete without going to Kathakali performance. It’s an elaborate makeup process which you get to watch where all performers are male but play both gender roles. The costumes are extravagant and the dance was expressive. The story line is basically boy loves girls she is unsure but he eventually wins girls and they dance to celebrate there love.