As we sailed towards Cochin, and many miles out to sea, there were acres of water hyacinth all around the ship.

We were accompanied in by the “Almighty God” …

Nearing the berth, things looked a little properous even.

We had arranged a tour to the Backwaters of Kerala, a huge network of lakes, canals and rivers 2+ hours by bus south of Cochin.

Along the way, many locals dressed like this.

There are huge paddy fields of rice here …

Rice used to be transported slowly by barge. Now trucks move it faster, so the barges have been converted to houseboats for tourists. About 600 of them apparently.

Most locals get around on the water. This is the local public “bus” …

… and locals waiting at a “bus” stop.

We saw all sorts of other water craft …

… and a 100 man “snake boat” used for races …

… and this was everywhere …

Some houses looked almost posh …

But the locals still carry on the practices of centuries. This woman bashing her washing on a stone …

… another one washing (with the help of a cat) …

This guy having a bath …

… and this lady doing the washing up …

We had a nice Indian buffet at this tourist resort …

… and then returned to Cochin where we visited the Chinese fishing nets (and tons of rubbish!)…

… near the “fort”. Really meaning the old European enclave used by the Portuguese, Dutch and British merchants. Many of their grand homes now conveted to hotels.

It was a long but interesting day.

So much for India … now for the surprise of Colombo …