We cruised the harbor this morning. We saw the fishing boats docked at a place where the fishermen were selling their fresh catches of the morning.
Other fishermen were periodically lifting up the large Chinese nets beside the shore. This was the way the Chinese fished when they were here, but they were chased out by invading armies centuries ago.
The current fishermen were catching mainly small fish that they threw to the egrets. We also saw a dredger dredging the harbor so the water would remain deep enough for the cargo ships to pass.
After the harbor cruise, we walked behind these nets and some of us even helped raise a net.
We continued walking past venders with cheap trinkets. We boarded the bus then shopped at an OAT approved store where it was safe to use credit cards. They had clean restrooms and sold souvenirs from clothes to jewelry to decorative pieces. I bought a pair of turquoise rayon patiala pants here. They were pretty, but they don’t compare in quality to Anuja’s handmade ones.
The bus then took us to the Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace for its whitewashed walls and tiled roof. As we walked through the palace, Anuja told us about the kings. The colorful murals are some of the best examples of Hindu temple art in India. We couldn’t take pictures, though.
We walked through the old Jewish Quarter where there were rows of shops selling clothing, spices, and decorative pieces. I bought some nutmeg nuts and cashew nuts which are both grown locally. Paul and I were both shopped out, so we went back to the bus.
We had a couple of hours at the hotel to relax and pack. Later we ate a delicious dinner at the restaurant in the Grand Hotel. This is a favorite upscale restaurant that the locals like.