January 30, 2010 Cochin, India
The exchange rate $1 equals 46.29 Rupees.
The port was substitute to Cochin instead of Bombay (Mumbai) for the second consecutive year causing Jan to miss another Hard Rock guitar pin. We walked approximately ½ mile to Taj Malbar Hotel. In that brief walk we turned down more Tuk Tuk drivers than you can on your fingers & toes plus a few taxi drivers. Most speak very good English and are personable. Last year we saw the life of Slum dog Millionaire with a wonderful guide doubling as a Tuk Tuk driver. This year at the hotel we experienced the opposite side of life. Jan checked out the spa, and then we met some fellow passengers and shared beer and relaxing conversation. The hotel facilities were very beautiful and elegant.
While we were gone other passengers saw dolphins put on a show accompany by a whale. Oh, we saw flying fish a few days ago. We did see them last year, but thought they were birds.
We advanced our clocks ½ hour before entering Cochin and again after leaving.
Yesterday, February 2nd, we advanced our clocks again 1 hour making us 12 hours ahead of home and therefore approximately ½ around the world.