Kochi - The Land of Idle (14-16 Mar)

The state of Kerala is along the Southwest Coast of India that stretches for 550km. Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) is the city we chose to visit for Kerala state.

The weather in Cochin is very different from Bangalore. Very humid weather and I bought more sarees and kurtas here cos we wanted to cool ourselves in air-con malls. Ended up shopping instead... hehe. All so pretty!! Jeff says I've to used my own budget for those un-budgeted spending! Any sponsors? U get to see the samples below..hehe. 

We spent another day out on a tour to the backwater and it was so relaxing learning more about the village life of the locals that lives in Kuttanad, little islands around the region around river, lakes etc that are off the main road. Idyllic was what we experienced..

Our 1st meal in Cochin after our nap. U can see from the food that we were too hungry, started eating and realised that we forgot to take photos. Chicken potato cutlet and fried noodles!

 We finally found a prata man! Taste like what we have back home. Confirmed our Roti Prata is from India. haha..here's it's call Porata.

Local city bus..

Excuses for chilling out at the mall..more sarees for me..hehe

The ladies say I've to buy this too..

The houseboat we took for part 1 of our trip.

There's a bedroom with toilet on the boat!

One of the many islands that they stay on. Dun be surprise that there's electricity, cable tv, internet on those islands as well..

Fishing is one of their livelihood.

The river bed is quite shallow. They were digging the clay/soil from sea bed and transporting those soil to mainland for other use.

Coconut is also another means of livelihood. Every part of it is used.

Flower shoot - Toddy Liquor
Fruit - Oil or food
Husk - rope

Tapping from the flower shoot. Sap that flows out. Kept it till evening and it will be 2% alcohol content. Keep for longer period, the alcohol content will increase..

Had a herb and spice session. Do u know what's the most expensive spice in the world?

Fruit of cashew nuts..siak siak (hokkien)

Delicious mussels cooked with coconut!

Lunch time! Typical Kelaran vegetarian meal.

Transfer to canoe..

Canoe boat..

Serene entry into backwater..

Typical house on the island..

Showering by the river where we cruise..

Woman weaving coconut fibre into ropes!

Sandra & Jeff trying to be funny! Met alot of fun travellers for the trip.

The little gal who dresses up to welcome us!

Appreciating the backwater in different light..

Getting nostalgic..

After 2 hrs of cruising, back to mainland!