Before 7 November
Depart Sydney for Singapore
7 November
MI 468 Depart Singapore 19:55 Arrive Kochi (Cochin - Airport Code COK) 21:55
Time Zones:
Sydney AEDT UTC +11 hours
Queensland AEST UTC +10 hours
Singapore SGT UTC + 8 hours
Singapore SGT UTC + 8 hours
Kerala IST UTC + 5:30 hours
8 November
15:30 Coach to Mattancherry Palace. First built by the Portugese in 1557, it was rebuilt by the Dutch in 1663. The murals in the king’s bedroom which depict mythical scenes from the Raas Leela and the Ramayana are a masterpiece of Keralan paintings. Coach back to hotel.
18:30 Lecture: Cochin & the Spice Trade followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant which explores the rich culinary heritage of this trading centre. Overnight Cochin.
Brunton Boatyard Hotel, Near Aspin Wall, 1/498, Calvetty Road, Fort
Cochin, 682001. Telephone: 484 221 5461. www.cghearth.com
9 November
Cochin. A morning walk around Fort Cochin includes the Chinese fishing nets, which have been in use since the 14th century and St Francis Church (c.1510), one of the earliest Catholic churches in India and the temporary resting place of Vasco da Gama. A cooking demonstration focusing on the Mopilah (Muslim) culinary tradition of northern Kerala precedes a private lunch. Muslim traders may have settled on the Malabar Coast as early as in the 7th century and have since developed a cuisine with distinctive flavours. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight Cochin.
9 November
Cochin. A morning walk around Fort Cochin includes the Chinese fishing nets, which have been in use since the 14th century and St Francis Church (c.1510), one of the earliest Catholic churches in India and the temporary resting place of Vasco da Gama. A cooking demonstration focusing on the Mopilah (Muslim) culinary tradition of northern Kerala precedes a private lunch. Muslim traders may have settled on the Malabar Coast as early as in the 7th century and have since developed a cuisine with distinctive flavours. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight Cochin.
Fort Cochin. Jewish merchants and Christian settlers arrived in Kerala with St Thomas the Apostle in 52 ad. The Paradesi Synagogue, built in 1568 by European Jews, is tucked away in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. Its airy interior is enhanced by hand painted Chinese floor tiles and European glass chandeliers. A cooking demonstration is followed by a Christian lunch in a private home. Opened in 2009, the Folklore Museum houses a private collection of Keralan artefacts. Overnight Cochin.
11 November
Cochin, Munnar. In the morning, drive through the coconut
palms and spice plantations of the low- and midlands to Munnar, the
centre of Kerala’s tea industry. Located at an altitude of 1,600 metres,
this hill station was discovered by Scottish planters in the 19th
century and was once the British Summer capital of south India. Tea
tasting session in the afternoon. First of two nights in Munnar.
Windermere Estate, Munnar-Bison Valley Road, Pothamedu, Munnar 685612
T:+914865230512 / 693 / 978
T:+914865230512 / 693 / 978
12 November
Munnar. Drive around the rolling hills to one of the 30
tea estates in the area. After a walk around the plantation witnessing
pickers at work, visit the processing factory. The Tamil lunch in the
estate’s bungalow reflects the tea workers’ origin from the neighbouring
state. Overnight Munnar.
13 November
Munnar to Thekkady. Leaving the tea growing region of the
high altitudes, drive through thick forests of teak and rosewood to
reach Thekkady. Afternoon walk around a spice plantation to explore the
growing process and the complex network of correlations between species.
In the evening, dinner focuses on locally farmed produce. Overnight
Thekkady.
Spice Village Hotel, Kumily.
14 November
Thekkady to Kumarakom. Ayurveda, the Hindu system of
natural medicine originates from Kerala and uses numerous plants and
spices also found in the local cuisine. The Sahyadri Ayurveda centre–the
largest N.G.O. in South India– grows its own plants and produces its
own brand of medication. Privately hosted British-influenced lunch in a
planter’s home. Afternoon drive to the backwaters, a network of lakes,
lagoons and canals with its unique ecosystem. First of three nights in
Kumarakom.\
Hotel Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom.
15 November
Kumarakom. Morning walk around Alappuzha (Allepey), the
first planned city in Kerala, dating from 1776. The dilapidated mansions
of the Gujarati spice merchants are easily recognisable with their
intricately carved wooden gates. After the final cooking demonstration,
lunch is sadhya, the Keralan banquet consisting of a variety of
vegetarian dishes and traditionally served on a banana leaf. Return to
the hotel by boat. Overnight Kumarakom.
16 November
Kumarakom. In Kottayam, the 450-year old Cheria Palli –
‘Small’ St Mary’s Church – displays unusual symbols on its façade. The
original murals inside were painted using natural pigments. Nearby, the
Valia Palli – ‘Big’ St Mary’s Church – houses 2 Nestorian crosses, one
of which may be the oldest Christian artefact in India. The hosted lunch
highlights the distinctive culture of the region and is followed by a
walk around the farm. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight
Kumarakom.
17 November
Kumarakom, Cochin, Singapore. Leave early to drive to the
international airport (c.2 hours).
MI 467 Depart Kochi 22:55pm
18 November
Arrive Singapore 06:00
19/20 November Singapore
21 November
SQ 211 Depart Singapore 09:40 Arrive Sydney 20:30
