Cochin (Kochi), India (May 4)

From Khatmandu we flew on May 3 to Delhi for overnight. Then the next day we got up early (2 a.m.) for flight to Cochin, when upon landing some of us had a quick “highlights” tour (Bill and others went directly to the boat!).

The highlights tour included a visit to the Fort Cochin area at the entrance to the harbor. The fort was built by the Portuguese, stormed by the Dutch, and retaken by the British, a typical trajectory for this part of the world.  Chinese fishing nets - so-called because Chinese immigrants developed the technique of dipping nets into the water and hoisting up the catch - dot the beach (along with scalpers selling wares). The St. Francis church was the burial place of Vasco da Gama, until his remains were repatriated to Portugal. Traffic was the usual organized chaos.