By rice boat to Cochin
February 27th, 2010
After an abortive sunset cruise last night (the sun vanished behind cloud just as it was about to set) followed by a delicious though extravagant dinner (including a surprisingly convincing Indian sauvignon blanc), we checked out the following morning and boarded our own private rice boat for a 4-hour journey to Alleppi where our trusty driver Anthony was waiting to take us the remaining few kilometres to Cochin.
We had lunch on board the riceboat and although the weather continues hot and humid the breeze created by our movement gave some relief.
The first half of the journey were simply crossing the lake, but then we entered the backwaters and canals (there are 900Km of canals in Kerala, all man-made or man-improved) and had a wonderful time snapping away happily as people went about their business on the banks.
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Then arrived at the Arches Hotel in Cochin where thereas a quick turnround to catch a Kathakali performance – traditonal Keralan dance theatre.Then back to the hotel, something to eat in their roofop “restaurant” and a quick exploratory stroll before bed.