Cochin, India - 2

Hi, To continue with our visit to Cochin, we traveled a short distance by bus to a museum.  The photo below was taken out of a window in the museum of surrounding buildings.  Photography in the museum was not permitted.

Next we walked from the museum to the part of Jew Town where the Synagogue was located.  Below is a tourist shopping area near the museum.

There were numerous signs capitalizing on the area's heritage.  Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace.

Here it is spelled out in Hebrew.

We stopped by the Synagogue and surrounding grounds.

The gate in the above photo is to the right just beyond the parked bicycle.  At the bottom left are the steps to the Synagogue entrance.

Here is the Synagogue entrance.  Unfortunately, we were in Cochin on a Saturday and the Synagogue was closed to the public.

Trucks and buses in Ceylon and India are highly decorated.

In the evening we took a sunset cruise on the harbor.  Here is our ship docked at the port.

Across the harbor from the port is modern Cochin.

As in most harbor areas in the world, but not in the U. S., with the exception of Seattle, ferries are a major form of transportation.  For a few moments it seemed like this one would run right over us.

Also, there were many passenger ferries.

After crossing the harbor we followed various water fronts (Cochin has many islands in the harbor).  Along the way we say many beautiful homes.

Then we moved on to an area with a number of Chinese fishing nests.

Here another dredge is arriving and passing the nets.  Beyond the ship is the Arabian Sea.

In addition to net fishing from the land an extensive fishing boat fleet is based in Cochin.

Here the nets are being washed.

There were many types of passenger ferries.

As we ended our cruise we passed a number of interesting buildings on the island where we docked.  This is a 5 star hotel.

I am not sure what these buildings were used for but the sign on the one below was intriguing.

Thanks for looking.

Cochin India - 1

Hi, I will be posting a series of Ruthe's and my photos taken in Cochin in two groups.

As we approached the dock in Cochin I photographed this ship listed as a RoRo passenger and cargo ship.  Also, an Indian patrol vessel arrived in port, and

a pilot boat came along side to take off the pilot.

Before we disembarked a local band arrived on the dock to welcome us.

However, I don't think they were really into it.

The modern section of Cochin lay on the opposite side of the harbor from the port.

Our first stop during the day's tour was St. Francis Church, said to be the oldest church in India.

This vendor was selling coconuts across the street from the church.

Next, we stopped to view Chinese fishing nets.

As we walked along the waterway this dredge made port.

Here some men work the nets.

Other fishermen were working on their boats.

And of course there was fresh fish for sale.

I believe this wall surrounds a Madrassa or Arab school.

This young girl was playing in a park across from the waterfront where the fishermen were working,

as was this toddler.

Buses frequently provide an excellent platform for photos.  However, sometimes the tinted windows make for weird color; as was the case here.  Hence the conversion to black and white.

Cochin at one time had a significant Jewish population and the tour we chose stopped in the former Jewish neighborhood.  The shops in the area attempt to capitalize on this heritage.

While people on our tour shopped Ruthe and I wandered around the area taking photos.

While we were doing so this young man came along herding a few goats, looking for some place for them to graze.

I will be including some additional photos, including the exterior of the remaining synagogue in the next post.  I hope you enjoyed the photos.