Chochi (Kochin), India

We feel like we’re on a movie set as Marie and I are rocketed through the streets of Cochi, India in the back of Abdullah’s Tuk Tuk. This will be a day we remember as our introduction to India and a primer for our upcoming trip to Mumbai (Bombay). As our ship port lecturer stated "India is ‘real’ travel and unlike any other port we will visit."

Cochi (population 1.4 million) is both a city and state in Southwest India on the Arabian Sea. It has one of the highest population densities in India with fishing and agriculture as its chief activity. It’s known for a fine port and is home to the Indian Navy and shipbuilding industry. It was founded by the Portuguese after Vasco da Gama visited the city in 1502 and much of the Portuguese influence is still here. The Dutch captured it in 1663 and the British in 1795. India itself has a population of over 1 billion.

After getting through pretty heavy security we boarded a boat for a 2 hour cruise through the harbor and backwaters, where we were able to see the city’s 7 islands and see how the locals go about their lives on the water. In addition to rows and rows of fishing boats there are watercraft of every imaginable design possible. The canals link villages and still serve as the main highway in many places. Once back in the city we agreed to hire Abdulla and his Tuk Tuk for the day ($5) and tour the city. This is a hair raising event as the thousands of Tuk Tuks battle with various types of cycles for any space they can find in the streets and narrow alleys. I believe that without horns the city would come to a halt. It’s survival of the fittest and Abdullah was able to find a crevice to drive through at full speed at each opportunity. I have video and lots of pictures but will save most of them for our even more incredible trip through Mumbai’s streets two days later.

You will see pictures of the Chinese fishing nets along the city promontories. These are permanent nets that came with Kublai Kahn hundreds of years ago and are still used today. They take 5 men to operate and use a system of pulleys and weights (big rocks). We were able to watch them from both the harbor and land as they brought in their catches. Along with plastic bags and other trash they did actually catch some fish. Our next area we visited is named Jew Town, for the formerly large Jewish settlement. Today it’s a series of winding narrow streets with vendors selling everything imaginable. We bought some “good deals” there and had our first Indian meal in India.

Back on the ship we waved to the town people who lined the promenade as the ship sailed out of the harbor toward Mumbai. We really loved these gracious people and began to understand their culture. Abdullah explained to us that in Cochi, the Muslims, Hindus and Christians lived together with no problems. That is not true in other areas of India (such as Mumbai) where riots and terrorist attacks continue.