Cochin

Mon.Apr.25,arrived in Cochin at noon.After all the formalities I did not go ashore.

Tue.26 Tour "Highlights of Cochin and Harbour Cruise" Cochin is built on interconnected
islands and peninsulas.It is in the state of Kerala,a communist state that is democratic.It is one third the size of Canada with four times the population.It has the highest literacy rate of India,more than 96% and the lowest infant mortality.
The Portuguese were in Cochin for over 150 years.They built a palace as a gift for the King in exchange for trading rights.St Francis Church was built in 1503 by Franciscan friars.Vasco Da Gama was buried there but his remains were later returned to Portugal.

Vasco da Gama crypt in St Francis church

Ceiling in St Francis Church

Detail of ceiling painted by friars in St Francis Church

There were many Catholic churches,and there is still a large Catholic population,but when the Dutch ousted the Portuguese in 1666 the church became Dutch Reform.Then when the British ousted the Dutch in 1802 the church became Anglican.
This pattern was followed in most of the recent places we visited:first the Portuguese,
then the Dutch,then the British,each leaving behind remnants of their architecture and culture.

Dutch style house

Engliah style house,now a restaurant

The Chinese fishing nets are a tourist attraction,introduced by the Chinese centuries ago.
They use counter weights and are still in use,though not very efficient.

Chinese fishing nets from our harbour tour

Chinese fishing net

We went on a rice boat around the harbour

Small river boat

and saw our ship docked on one of the islands.

Our ship from the river boat

Santa Cruz Cathedral

Santa Cruz cathedral is the largest church in Cochin,I went there one Sunday on my last visit.
An interesting feature are the gaily decorated trucks.many with saints names or names of Hindu gods.

Decorated trucks

Cochin, India