We sailed into Cochin, India a major port city on the Arabian Sea, via the Seabourn Sojourn, on its 2014 World Cruise.
While we had done a little advance research on Cochin, we decided to take the Seabourn shore excursion to “Old Cochin” since the port area is on an island a distance from the mainland.
Cochin, also known as Kochi, has been important spice trading center, connecting mainland India to the rest of the world since the 14th Century.
Cochin has been ruled by numerous empires with the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese all impacting its history and development. Today the city is an interesting mix of old and new.
On the day of our visit, the Prime Minister of India was visiting for a political rally in preparation for India’s elections.
Cochin was the first of the European colony India when it was occupied by the Portuguese Empire in 1503. The Portuguese built Catholic churches and schools, many of which are still in place today. This is St. Sebastian’s Church.
Our tour visited St. Francis Church, the oldest church built by Europeans in India. Portuguese trader Vasco da Gama, who died in Cochin, was buried here, but his remains were later taken back to Portugal.
The coast between Fort Kochi and Vypeen is covered with fishermen earning their livelihood by fishing with giant nets called Cheenavala.
Outside of China, these massive fishing nets are only found in Cochin, and are believed to have been introduced to the port city by Chinese traders under the court of Kublai Khan.
The daily catch is available for purchase nearby.
Next on our tour we visited the Dutch Palace Mattancherry museum and then Jew Town. The Spice Market is in this historic area.
Ninety percent of all of the pepper that India produces is traded through the International Pepper Exchange at Kochi.
Spices are sold everywhere along these streets.
The Spice Market is a women’s cooperative.
Inside there are spices of every kind for sale, as well as numerous handmade goods.
A woman demonstrates weaving.
Signs for the upcoming election were prevalent through the city. We learned that India will have 100 million MORE voters in this election than in the last one in 2009!
Wood is a major export for the port of Kochi. It’s interesting how the hauling trucks are always brightly decorated.
Have you visited Cochin, India? What was your favorite site? Please share in comments below.
Check out these other posts about our adventures cruising on the Seabourn Sojourn“;.
- Setting Sail from Singapore on the Seabourn Sojourn
- A Day by Day Look at Cruising 11-Days on the Seabourn Sojourn
- Thai Gastronomy at the Blue Elephant Cooking School in Phuket, Part 1
- Thai Gastronomy at the Blue Elephant Cooking School in Phuket, Part 2
- Thai Gastronomy at the Blue Elephant Cooking School in Phuket, Part 3
- Experiencing the Life and Lore of Colombo, Sri Lanka
- 7 Favorite “Naughty” Pleasures on the Seabourn Sojourn
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