Stage 2 of Ali's world adventure started yesterday morning. I left Solihull for Heathrow at 9am, met my new travelling companion Liz at 10.30, checked in at 11 and despite Liz's attempts to create a security scare with her undeclared Nivea cream, we flew on time at 2.15. A short stopover in Doha and then a 4 hour flight to Cochin. We arrived at 8.05 local time but with the 5 and 1/2 hour time difference we felt decidedly jaded.
The expected culture shock was not as great as I was expecting. Yes it is very hot and humid, yes there were lots of people at the airport, yes the drive from the airport to the hotel was hair raising but maybe Africa had prepared me for for some of these things. Cochin is a sprawling city, fully of lorries, motor bikes and all sorts of vehicles in all sorts of conditions...It was quite overcast when we landed so we haven't seen it in its full glory yet but it is very green, there are lots of palm trees and lots of canals and islands.
We had to crash out for a few hours when we got to the hotel and it was strange waking up in a strange room 3 hours later. I have been exploring, despite the heat and humidity and have already sampled some local food at a restaurant near by....Dosa and curry for 50 rupees- bargain.
The hotel has free wifi and a pool and is probably the poshest place we will stay in while we're here, but after the journey it was a welcome oasis. Hoping to explore a bit more tonight and then may be explore by boat tomorrow....we have plotting to do by the pool in a minute..
The expected culture shock was not as great as I was expecting. Yes it is very hot and humid, yes there were lots of people at the airport, yes the drive from the airport to the hotel was hair raising but maybe Africa had prepared me for for some of these things. Cochin is a sprawling city, fully of lorries, motor bikes and all sorts of vehicles in all sorts of conditions...It was quite overcast when we landed so we haven't seen it in its full glory yet but it is very green, there are lots of palm trees and lots of canals and islands.
We had to crash out for a few hours when we got to the hotel and it was strange waking up in a strange room 3 hours later. I have been exploring, despite the heat and humidity and have already sampled some local food at a restaurant near by....Dosa and curry for 50 rupees- bargain.
The hotel has free wifi and a pool and is probably the poshest place we will stay in while we're here, but after the journey it was a welcome oasis. Hoping to explore a bit more tonight and then may be explore by boat tomorrow....we have plotting to do by the pool in a minute..
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