After a full day of check-in procedures we hoisted the anchor and started motoring up the channel to Bogatty Island and the Kochi International Marina. We hadn't been underway more than five minutes when a Port Control boat pulled alongside us and called "papers". Good that we insisted on getting copies from the customs office who had taken all the papers! Then on we went up a narrow channel that was less than feet in places (and close to high tide!) to the marina. This could/should be a great little spot but it is suffering from extreme neglect. The docks are rotting out and it is generally unkempt and not all that clean in the facilities. Too bad because we like it here. The funniest thing was that the marina manager came out to greet us, being young and two months into the new job, was wearing a life jacket. I think that says everything about it. :)
Unfortunately, since we were both sick, we wound up spending the first two weeks in India on the boat, sick. I forged out for a visit to the clinic and to get a SIM card and some basic provisions, but not much beyond. Plans for taking a week's tour of Kerala or flying up to Delhi and visiting the Taj Mahal and surrounds were put on hold and then eliminated. We'll need to fly back to visit the northern areas of India at some point in the future. For this trip, we'll stay close to Kochi and see how it goes.
Since we were on the outside dock, we had a great view of the river and across to Ernakulum, the main city by Kochi. We were surprised at how many tourist boats pass by, especially at sunset, and to find that we were part of the tourist attraction. All the boats had loud and fun Indian music with people cheering, waving, rocking out, or just sitting serenely. We also watched ferries going up and down, and the most enchanting and captivating little round basket boats which the local gypsies use for fishing in the river. We give them water as they paddle by if they need any.With Equanimity and Joy
