Fasulu/Fasula took us to an eatery by the roadside, which was fine as many tourists and locals were also there. It was better than having to go to an air-conditioned restaurant or hotel. It just wouldn't feel local.
There were plenty of choices but we had to stick to our budget. In the end, Rosmah and I ordered prawn fried rice and spicy grilled fish. We had imagined finding big, succulent prawns in the fried rice but alas....much to our dismay and disappointment, the prawns were not small but TINY!! And then the grilled fish came. Hmmm.....I expected ikan panggang. Well....ikan panggang it was but let's just say it left much to be desired.
After lunch, we were back on the road again. Fasulu/Fasula took us to see the Kochi Synagogue. It is also known by the names of Cochin Jewish Synagogue or Mattancherry Synagogue. It is the oldest working synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. But alas....as it was a Saturday, the synagogue was closed. :-(
[Jewish Synagogue]
Next was The Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace. It features Kerala murals depicting Hindu temple art, portraits and exhibits of the Rajas of Kochi.
[Dutch Palace]
By this time, Rosmah and I were dying from the heat. If Bangalore was cool and windy, Kerala was so hot! And I was wearing a long-sleeved, slightly thick top with jeans, thinking the weather would imitate Bangalore!
We had to get back to the jetty by 4-ish, so after the Dutch Palace, we headed back to the jetty. Although it was still early (our bus back to Bangalore was only at 9pm), we decided to head back so that we could wash-up and get ready for the loooong ride home.
We missed seeing a few other places but the few that we visited was worth it. We also made a short stop at the Fish Market after the Chinese Fishing Nets and a short stop at Fort Cochin Beach. Many people told us to visit the famed Kerala Boathouse but as we only had a day, there was simply not enough time. One would need at least 2-3 days to enjoy the boathouse experience. It's like staying on a floating hotel. That's one experience I'm hoping to experience with my family.
Anyway...so we reached the hotel, rested a bit, washed-up and then headed to the bus station. Getting to the CORRECT bus station was another problem!
The Auto took us to the wrong bus station!! Thank God we left early, and thank God the correct bus station was only about say...1km away. So Rosmah and I walked all the way to the correct bus "station" which was actually a sidewalk on the main road!! I should have guessed that there was no bus station coz it was written on my bus ticket, "Platform 0"!! To make matters worse, the bus was nearly 45 minutes late, scaring both of us into thinking we'd miss the bus!
The bus this time was nicer and we did not have the last row. The almost 11 hour bus ride was smooth as the bus took the highway instead of the hilly road we came on the last time. We reached Bangalore slightly after 7am the next day.
We had to get back to the jetty by 4-ish, so after the Dutch Palace, we headed back to the jetty. Although it was still early (our bus back to Bangalore was only at 9pm), we decided to head back so that we could wash-up and get ready for the loooong ride home.
We missed seeing a few other places but the few that we visited was worth it. We also made a short stop at the Fish Market after the Chinese Fishing Nets and a short stop at Fort Cochin Beach. Many people told us to visit the famed Kerala Boathouse but as we only had a day, there was simply not enough time. One would need at least 2-3 days to enjoy the boathouse experience. It's like staying on a floating hotel. That's one experience I'm hoping to experience with my family.
Anyway...so we reached the hotel, rested a bit, washed-up and then headed to the bus station. Getting to the CORRECT bus station was another problem!
The Auto took us to the wrong bus station!! Thank God we left early, and thank God the correct bus station was only about say...1km away. So Rosmah and I walked all the way to the correct bus "station" which was actually a sidewalk on the main road!! I should have guessed that there was no bus station coz it was written on my bus ticket, "Platform 0"!! To make matters worse, the bus was nearly 45 minutes late, scaring both of us into thinking we'd miss the bus!
The bus this time was nicer and we did not have the last row. The almost 11 hour bus ride was smooth as the bus took the highway instead of the hilly road we came on the last time. We reached Bangalore slightly after 7am the next day.
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