Mangalore and Cochin

[oceanviewer21]

Where to go and what to see. Any ideas?

[Keith1010]

In Cochin we have visited the Paradesi Synagogue which is very unique and the oldest of the synagogues in the Commonwealth of Nations the Mattancherry Palace built in 1555, Santa Cruze Roman Catherdral and the Indo-Portuguese Museum.  Make a stop to the Chinese Dipping nets.

 

It's a more orderly area to shop should you want to look for anything.

 

I would recommend an organized tour either private or a ships tour.

 

Keith

 

[dalliowner]

We shall be stopping in Mangalore next year, I do not think it will be the most exciting stop but is there any place we should see ?

Thanks

[DC Traveler244]

We visited both cities in December 2016.  In Mangalore, we arranged for a private tour with another couple on our ship. There's a strong Portuguese influence in this part of India.  We visited a number of Hindu temples, Catholic churches, and markets.  It was interesting.  

 

In Cochin, there are strong Portuguese Dutch influences.  We arranged another private tour that took us to the oldest Christian church in India, the old Jewish quarter of the city, and a working Dhabi (traditional open-air clothes-washing facility).  It was moderately interesting, but after talking with our fellow passengers, we regretted not taking a houseboat tour of the Kerala Backwaters.  Quite a few passengers took a SB excursion to the backwaters, but some made private arrangements.  Apparently, the experience was really special.

 

If you want information about the company we used for our tours in Mangalore and Cochin, please email me at annehwright [at] gmail [dot] com.