Cochin, India

After three full days at sea, spent doing I don't know what, but the days sped by, we arrived at dawn at Cochin, India.   We were to have originally docked in Mumbai, but according to Cunard we were unable to obtain  docking space there.    I don't buy it, my hunch is that there was concern about possible terror danger at Mumbai.   In any case, disappointment aside, I spent a really nice day in Cochin.   I had spent a year in New Delhi at the age of fifteen, so I had some idea what to expect.    Cochin is in the far south of India, therefor tropical, as would be the rest of our ports, save Hong Kong.   Cochin was colonized by the Portuguese in the early 1500s (Vasco da Gama died here), who were chased out by the Dutch in the 1600s, who were chased out by the British in the 1800's, who were chased out by the Indians in the 1900s.  The region grows spices and peppercorns, the trade of which was the reason for all the foreign interest.    The Jewish population gained control over that trade.    The quarter in which they lived is called Jew Town (!) and that's where the best shopping is today,  so that's where I went!     There's a Jewish Cemetery, a Synagog, a Catholic Basilica, a Dutch palace, a Portuguese fort, a Hindu temple and Chinese fishing nets, all within a kilometer of each other.  Fun, eh?   Rode around in Tuk- tuks, terribly polluting little three wheeled vehicles,  drank chai, took photos, bought a few things and made it back to the ship on time!    In port, directly aft of us was a French yacht, Le Ponant, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates in April, 2008.  A ransom  had been paid for its release, then French Commandos went after the hijackers, killing some of the them, and recovering some of the money.    Our departure from Cochin was gregarious , with thousands lining the shore, and the ships whistle blasting!