COCHIN / HALF DAY CITY TOUR
Welcome to Cochin, which with its antiquated seaport lifestyle, has changed little over the centuries. It is easy to forget that one is in the 20th century while in Cochin.
Thursday Afternoon
| 15:00. Depart pier |
| 15:00 - 17:00. Depart for Mattanchery and visit the Dutch Palace. In Mattanchery we visit the Dutch Palace, which contains some
excellent mythological murals and a rare example of traditional Kerala flooring (flooring has been covered by mats for preservation).
Walk to the Jewish Synagouge We then visit the Jewish Synagogue, a beautiful artifice embellished by Ezekiel Rahabi, who built a clock tower and paved the floor with hand-painted blue and white porcelain tiles (no two are alike) brought from Canton, China. |
| 17:00. Arrive Fort Cochin and visit Chinese fishing nets walk to St. Francis Church. Our tour of Cochin includes a visit to Fort Cochin, constructed by Portugal's Alfonzo de Albuquerque in 1500 and believed to be the oldest European settlement in India. Albuquerque arrived with half a dozen ships bearing settlers and five friars who built the first European church in India, St. Francis Church. |
| 18:30 - 19:00. Drive back to pier / arrive at the pier |
COCHIN / BACKWATER RICE BOAT CRUISE TO ALLEPPEY
We will pass through one of the India's most beautiful and serene areas - a rural river expanse of the verdant coconut groves and rice paddies. In Malayalam, the language of Kerala, this region is known as "Kuttanad" - the land of the short people, a reference, perhaps, to the fact that the farmers are often seen working knee-deep in the paddy fields.
Friday Full Day
| 09:30. Depart pier by coach for Alleppey |
| 11:00. Arrive Alleppey jetty and board the boats for a backwater cruise in and around Alleppey. For centuries these canals
have provided a safe and efficient means of transportation for goods and people moving between the interior and the port towns along the coast. Even
today, coconut, pepper, coir, rice and other goods are carried along the river-ways in traditional stitched canoes called Kettuvallams.
Along the way we will see the coir factories and coconut harvesting that makes up the main industry of Kerala. We have lunch on board the boat. |
| 16:30. Return to Jetty, board the coaches and proceed for short shopping tour in Alleppey. |
| 17:30 - 19:00. Drive back to Cochin / arrive at pier. |
COCHIN / FORT COCHIN & CULTURAL SHOW
Friday Morning
| 09:00. Depart Pier by Coach for Fort Cochin |
| 09:45. Arrive at the theatre to watch the Kalaripayattu show.
Kalaripayattu the martial art form of Kerala is regarded as the oldest and more scientific in the world. Training in combat is given at the Kalari (training school). The principles of Kalari education stipulate that training in martial art begins with an oil massage of the body which goes on until the body is agile and supple. Feats like chattom (jumping), ottam (running), marichil (somersault) etc. are then taught, followed by the lessons the use of weapons such as daggers, swords, spears, maces, the bow and arrow and so on. Kalaripayattu training aims at the ultimate co-ordination of the mind and body. The traditional training in a Kalari includes specialization in indigenous medical practice too. Kalaris are also centers of religious worship. The general guidelines to be followed in Kalaripayattu demand that once the course is complete, a person should undergo oil massage and engage in the practice of the feats at least once a year to help him keep in shape. They are vibrant, with expressions that are myriad and immaculate, offering an ethereal experience time and time again. |
| 11:00. Later proceed for the shopping tour in Jew City, 30 minutes drive from the theatre. |
| 12:30 Ð 13:00. Depart from the Jew City / arrive at the pier. |