Part 2

After breakfast, we headed down to the reception for some information; where to go, how to get there etc. Armed with what we hoped was enough information, we took an Auto to the local market, Broadway. The place was sort of like Campbell-Kimberley Street here in Penang. Rosmah bought two saree cloths that she planned to use to sew baju kurungs; I was still searching for things to buy.

After that, we took an Auto to the Main Boat Jetty, where we paid Rs.5 each to board the jetty that would take us to Fort Cochin. I was expecting to be seasick but alas…I didn’t. The boat ride took about 15-20 minutes, and upon reaching the Fort, we were immediately mobbed by Auto riders who wanted to be our guide. Armed with our experiences from haggling in Bangalore, I must say that we managed to get a good deal. Our Auto-cum-tour-guide, Fasula/Fasulu and us agreed on Rs.150 for a trip to all the tourist attractions.

[Main Boat Jetty]

First stop was the famed Chinese Fishing nets. Truth to be told, it was nothing spectacular. Rosmah and I stood around looking at these net things and there weren’t any fishes!! Apparently, it was not the fish season! *roll eyes*

[Chinese Fishing Nets]

After that, we were taken on a ride through what I would call the “landed-roller-coaster”. We went through small alleys and narrow streets, up and in potholes, bouncing our way as we passed the Jewish and Dutch Cemetery (I don’t know why this is a tourist attraction). Fasula/Fasulu even expected us to take pictures!! Of what...I don’t know! Then we stopped at St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. It was under renovation or refurbishment, so nothing grand to see.

[St. Francis Church]

Of course, on the way, Fasulu/Fasula made stops at expensive Kashmiri shops, “just for see”. Apparently, he gets one ‘point’ every time he brings customers to their shops. On our trip alone, he managed to get 4 points. He had wanted to collect 6 but Rosmah and I managed to stop him. We refused to get out after the 4th shop. It was just tiring and time consuming, having to pretend that we were interested. Also, every time we stepped into a shop and said we were from Malaysia, the reply was always “oh...Malaysia…truly Asia!!” Grrr!!

Fasulu/Fasula then stopped at a small local shop, where I managed to buy two tops. Yay! My first purchase, or rather second, after the holy strings I bought atop Chamundi Hills. After that, we were taken to the Spice “Market”, which turned out to be a small spice shop. There happens to be numerous Spice Markets, which are actually small spice shops. Market!!

To be continued...