9.11.18 Cochin, Kerala Backwaters

Our journey is packed with highlights and today another one is to follow, but everything in order. One of my goals on this trip to India is to attend a yoga class in India. This morning there was an opportunity to do so, as a yoga lesson was offered at the hotel from 7-8 am. It was an experience and I felt good afterwards. After breakfast we had plenty of time, as the driver didn't pick us up until 10:30 am. So we strolled through the hotel grounds at Brunton Boatyard, which feels like colonial seafaring times and is right by the harbor. Several times we see Indian Navy ships. Our new driver for the second part is called Eldo and he picks us up on time. We drive through Kochi and marvel at the many Christian churches, a remnant of the Portuguese seafarers. The impression from last night is confirmed, it is different. Better roads, relatively developed civilization and very green due to the tropical climate. After 1.5 hours we reach a harbor in the backwaters of Kerala. A large canal system. Here our houseboat with crew is waiting for us. The ship is a former rice ship, the two of us, three crew members, a wonderful veranda, sundeck and a great bedroom. We are overwhelmed and this feeling remains. We leisurely cruise through the canals, initially inhabited on the right and left by rice farmers and fishermen, then only nature.

First, we are cooked lunch, delicious fish and Indian vegetables, afternoon tea in the form of fried bananas and spoiled with an equally delicious dinner. We enjoy the boat trip to the fullest. In the evening we dock somewhere in the middle of nowhere. The silence is very soothing after the hustle and bustle of Rajasthan.