Cochin

Saturday 4^th of February

So! While you were struggling this morning with the cold we were already in the Indian heat in Cochin. This is place in direct contrast to Mumbai and while there is a big financial and commercial city we spent our time in the old town; a delightful place just the sort of place one thinks about as India: Little streets with colonial and Indian influences. There is also a Jewish quarter with a synagogue and loads of English type churches. We finished the tour with a trip on a small boat on the lake. This was extremely soporific and restful. We now have a night in cabaret to enjoy with more Indian Classical Dance then it’s up anchor and we are at sea again for a few days to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands; still a province of India.

There are some moaners on this cruise but one of them really is so stupid. A woman was complaining that the desert was too desolate! Fd

Sunday 5^th of February

After a very busy and active visit to Cochin we have been more than relaxed today! We have been on deck loungers on deck 8 at the rear of ship overlooking the stern, watching as the ships propellers’ create a wake, swathing an avenue through the Arabian sea that can be seen for miles astern. Beyond that and around is the sea from horizon to horizon with nothing but the occasional tanker or container ship. The sea is a beautiful deep blue and watching from our vantage point we could see the undulating roll of the ship as it rides slowly up quickly down on the waves as Black Watch makes her way onward to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands.

Fd