Tuesday 18th September: Fort Cochin
To start the day, the braver (not necessary fitter!) members of the group headed off to yoga to be entertained by the comic yoga master, and to attempt to stretch and rejuvenate our bodies.
After an exotic local breakfast, that didn't include bacon or eggs, we were set for the day.
The second morning of the Conference started with our own Elaine and a fascinating presentation about her personal career development from academia to entrepreneur and successful business woman. Following the theme of career development Deepa Krishnan, Indu Menon and her daughter presented their own stories which described their diverse pathways for setting up their own social foundations. Deepa's career change from corporate international high flyer to director of a tourism company that provides opportunities for girls to develop tourism careers was inspiring. We're also looking forward to seeing the Weaving project that Indu and her daughter have established based on Indu's social anthropology background.
To complete the morning an open panel chaired with great aplomb by Jan, allowed much discussion as we went to lunch.. and the discussion hasn't stopped really!
Then it was off to the boat for another ride along the river and waterways amidst boats of every size and function, occasional clumps of water hyacinth and black cormorants lined up on posts guiding the river traffic away from shallow water following the floods.
As we approached our destination there was a bit of careful manoeuvring to allow us to reach the bank without running aground. Similarly when we left it was a very slow process with sand being churned up from the floor of the river and advice being sought from the the local ferry captain. Fortunately we didn't have to resort to decreasing the weight onboard by all of us jumping overboard!
Then it was into tuk tuks to get us to the Palliyyakkal Cooperative farm which unfortunately had been flooded to 12 feet above land level. The waters have subsided, but so had some of the walkways, and many of the crops were swept away.
The survivors from the flood were actually rice plants which were fully grown and well-embedded into the soil. The Bokali rice plants grow to an astonishing 1.5 metres with huge rice grains that are pale pink if cooked with some of the husk on. Only one crop a year grows and when harvested only the grains are removed as the rest of the plant is left to decay and create food for prawns - which we were happy to eat!
Lunch was alfresco and to be eaten with our fingers only from a banana leaf. The food was a fabulous array of curries using local prawns, chicken, vegetables and of course, Bokali rice. As you can see from the photos we ate the lot!!
Before embarking on the boat home we tasted a delicious drink based on sarsaparilla root cordial and lime from a tiny stall on the banks of the waterway. Creamy soda, sarsaparilla lemonade -we couldn't work out what it tasted like, but it tasted great!
Another boat trip home sent some of us off to sleep and others for more discussion about life, the universe and everything.
A swim in the pool as sunset fell, followed by a G&T...or two.... and a Seafood Banquet at Bunton's on the patio completed another day of stimulating discussion, too much food and boat trips.
your waterlogged correspondent
Dianne
To start the day, the braver (not necessary fitter!) members of the group headed off to yoga to be entertained by the comic yoga master, and to attempt to stretch and rejuvenate our bodies.After an exotic local breakfast, that didn't include bacon or eggs, we were set for the day.
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| Masala dosa and watermelon juice for breakfast |
The second morning of the Conference started with our own Elaine and a fascinating presentation about her personal career development from academia to entrepreneur and successful business woman. Following the theme of career development Deepa Krishnan, Indu Menon and her daughter presented their own stories which described their diverse pathways for setting up their own social foundations. Deepa's career change from corporate international high flyer to director of a tourism company that provides opportunities for girls to develop tourism careers was inspiring. We're also looking forward to seeing the Weaving project that Indu and her daughter have established based on Indu's social anthropology background.
To complete the morning an open panel chaired with great aplomb by Jan, allowed much discussion as we went to lunch.. and the discussion hasn't stopped really!
 |
| The St Joseph and Hail Mary fishing boats: it's clear to see who they will be praying to for a good catch! |
Then it was off to the boat for another ride along the river and waterways amidst boats of every size and function, occasional clumps of water hyacinth and black cormorants lined up on posts guiding the river traffic away from shallow water following the floods.
As we approached our destination there was a bit of careful manoeuvring to allow us to reach the bank without running aground. Similarly when we left it was a very slow process with sand being churned up from the floor of the river and advice being sought from the the local ferry captain. Fortunately we didn't have to resort to decreasing the weight onboard by all of us jumping overboard!
The survivors from the flood were actually rice plants which were fully grown and well-embedded into the soil. The Bokali rice plants grow to an astonishing 1.5 metres with huge rice grains that are pale pink if cooked with some of the husk on. Only one crop a year grows and when harvested only the grains are removed as the rest of the plant is left to decay and create food for prawns - which we were happy to eat!
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| Trying to flag down a tuk tuk or two! |
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| Not enough tuk tuks so Anne and Gopi arrived via a different mode of transport |
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| What exactly is cumin soda? |
Another boat trip home sent some of us off to sleep and others for more discussion about life, the universe and everything.
A swim in the pool as sunset fell, followed by a G&T...or two.... and a Seafood Banquet at Bunton's on the patio completed another day of stimulating discussion, too much food and boat trips.
 |
| The waiter had a moment of rampant creativity when I asked him to take a photo of us and this was the result! |
your waterlogged correspondent
Dianne
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| Seafood terrine: fabulous! |
Love that photo of Linda hailing a tuk tuk 😋
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