so we arrived in fort kochi two days ago after a 24hr car ride.... we opted to hire a driver due to time restictions. they said it woudl only take 14hrs ahahahha.... i tell u i had long distance driving... and ofcourse when ur inteh acr with same people for 24hrs things get a little testy. The driver also had a wedding to get back to at noon the following day dont know how he was going to do it cos he droped us off at 8pm at night.... but we made it..

we managed to find a lovely rickshaw driver who helped us find a reasonable hotel at a cheaper price 500rps fingen expensive since ive been paiding between 80-150 for the last 2mths but everywhere else was 800+ so u cant comeplain...

so what can i say about fort cochi and kerela... its quieter, people are more friendly and less pushy and ur by the water.... (which unfortunately makes it humid) woke up to stickey heat and headed to a very paddo like cafe with fresh fruit and yummy french toast it was set in an art gallery so felt very western.... cochi is like a small fishing village with the old chinses nets still being used to catch fish... this are hugh contraptions on the sea and land edge with nets that get lowered into the water say for 5mins then raised again hopefully with some fish... have photos of robin having a go at it.... it wa very interesting...

the we walked through the small streets to the dutch palace which houses the oldest wall murals in india they are quite impressive and very sexual especially in the female bedroom.... can u think of why....

right next door is JEW TOWN and yes it is called this. Jew town is a unique place where old antiques and handcrafts are sold it also has the oldest synagogue in the british commonwealth built in 1400 something.... there's only 5 jewish families still living here. There's no intermarriage they arrange marraiges from Israel.. and there's no Rabbi the 9 senior members conduct the services... interesting huh...

at night me and robin when to a traditional performance it was interesting.... before the performance they did a demonstration of the make-up and how they make the different colours using different rocks and coconut oil. and also the diffenert eye movements and how they commuicate through sign language, movements etc as they dont speak or use words at all....

heading to allepely today and hopefully on a backwater boat trip

niki