Day 17 – Wednesday 8 March

Cochin, India.

Cruise Day 17 of 35.

We cruised into Cochin early in the morning.

We decided to travel to and around the historic Fort Cochin and Mattancherry areas by tuk-tuk for the day, and - muhammadaslamka@yahoo.in – was our very pleasant and informative driver.

As we were driving, Aslam noticed a Hindu temple ceremony, so we stopped and observed.

Our next stop was at the Fort Kochi beach to see the Cheenavala (Chinese fishing nets).

We then drove to a house, which was the home of Vasco Da Gama.

Nearby is St. Francis Church, where Vasco Da Gama was originally buried (before his remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal).

 We then stopped to look at sculptures at the “Fish Cemetery”.

Next stop was at the Indo-Portuguese Museum, which displays Christian art heritage.

We then visited Dhobi Khana, but forgot to bring our washing.

Next stop was the Hindu Jain Temple.

We then stopped at the Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), which is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and is notable for mythical Indian murals.

We then walked nearby to the Jew Town Road, where we looked in some of the shops, before arriving at the Jewish Synagogue, which is the oldest in the Commonwealth of Nations.

Our final stop was at the Kerala Folklore Museum, which houses items from 2000 BC (and was visited by Prince Charles in 2013).

Day 16 – Tuesday 7 March

Cruise Day 16 of 35 (Sea Day 10).

Continued cruising through the southern part of the Bay of Bengal, around the south and west coasts of Sri Lanka. We had a pod of dolphins welcoming us.

Day 15 – Monday 6 March

Cruise Day 15 of 35 (Sea Day 9).

Continued cruising through the southern part of the Bay of Bengal. Good weather has returned.

We had a delicious Japanese dinner in the Izumi Restaurant, where we watched a beautiful sunset.

Day 14 – Sunday 5 March

Cruise Day 14 of 35 (Sea Day 8).

A rainy day as we began cruising through the southern part of the Bay of Bengal, but still relaxing.

Day 13 – Saturday 4 March

Penang, Malaysia.

Cruise Day 13 of 35.

Cruised through the Strait of Malacca, to the island of Penang, where we spent the afternoon and evening.

We (including our cruise friends, Ray & Chrissie) hired a wonderful taxi driver – jonathanshaw1234@gmail.com – from near the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Memorial Clock Tower.

 Our first stop was at the Snake Temple.

Next stop was at the impressive Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, which includes a 30 metre statue bronze Kuan Yin statue.

We then went up and down Penang Hill on the funicular train, and took in the panoramic views of Georgetown.

We then drove to Batu Feringgi, for a wander through the night market.