For more information visit the official stopover site at www.cochinoceanrace.com
KEY DATES IN COCHIN
Leg 2 was won by Ericsson 4 who arrived into Cochin at 22:52 GMT, 29 November 2008 after 14 days, 11 hours and 32 minutes of sailing, click here to read more about leg 2.
The fleet departed from Cochin at 13:00 local time on Saturday 13 December 2008 for leg 3 to Singapore.
ABOUT COCHIN
Like most Indian cities Cochin flaunts history on its sleeve even as it makes rapid strides in modernisation.
Centuries ago it was a hub for spice merchants and traders around the world, but today you’ll find Cochin a bustling cosmopolitan city. Cochin also has many outlying islands, forming part of Kerala’s famed backwaters.
The port city of Cochin is a mosaic of diverse cultures and communities. In keeping with its multi-ethnic composition, Cochin celebrates traditional Kerala festivals like Onam and Vishu along with Christian and Islamic festivals like Christmas, Easter, Eid ul-Fitr and Milad-e-sherif.
The commercial capital of India’s south-western state of Kerala, Cochin is a growing centre of information technology, tourism and international trade. The Queen of the Arabian Sea retains its historical position as a major exporter of spices: in addition, the Spices Board of India is headquartered here. Other business sectors include gold and textile retailing, seafood exports, health services, banking, shipbuilding, and the fishing industry. The city also houses Kerala's only bourse – the Cochin Stock Exchange.
Cochin is the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command, the primary training centre of the Indian Navy. The Cochin Shipyard is the largest shipbuilding facility in India. The Cochin fishing harbour, located at Thoppumpady is a major fishing port in the state and supplies fish to local and export markets.
While National Geographic Traveller listed Cochin amongst ‘50 greatest places of a lifetime', NASSCOM rated it the second-most attractive city in India for IT-based services. In short, the city has all the ingredients for an action-packed stopover!
KEY DATES Estimated Yacht arrivals: 03/12/2008 Leg 3 Start: 13/12/2008
Thursday 11th December 2008
Race Village:Open from 1100hrs - 2200hrs Snake Boat Race: 1500-1630hrs in Ernakulum Channel starting from Dufferin Point to Quay Five - lots of fun to watch!
Friday 12th December 2008
Race Village:Open from 1100hrs - 2200hrs Acro Show: (Acrobatic air show) at 1600-1630hrs from the BTP Jetty - along the waterfront Ensemble of Folk Arts of Kerala: At 1900-2200hrs on the main stage in the Race Village (A variety of arts and performance of the Kerala region)
Saturday 13th December 2008: Leg 3 Start
Race Village: Open from 1100hrs - 2200hrs Parade of sail: 1200-1330hrs - see map Ceremonial start: 1400hrs off Race Village Live audio commentary: 1515hrs - in English on www.volvooceanrace.org and locally on VHF 69. In Spanish on www.volvooceanrace.es. Warning signal: 1520hrs Official start of Leg 3: 1530hrs - see map
Download Leg 3 Sailing Instructions
To really savour Cochin you need to:
Watch a Malayalam blockbuster: Kerala’s film industry produces both world-class art cinema and commercial blockbusters. Enjoy a typical Mallu flick in the presence of ‘fan clubs’ who zealously promote their favourite star.
Window-shop gold jewellery: For the Keralite, this precious yellow metal is a favoured investment and a must-wear at weddings and other special occasions. Check out the stunning designs, both traditional and trendy, at the many gold jewellery shops that line Cochin streets.
Experience a temple festival: Majestic elephants decked in finery, hypnotic rhythms of the panchavadyam, crowds and crowds of people: a temple festival in Kerala is a treat for the senses. Modern-day additions to the roster of activities include staging of plays and music concerts.
Eat Kerala food at a thattukada: You’ll find many small teashops in Cochin that sell local dishes. The dish of your choice is prepared in front of you and served piping hot. Try puttu, dosa, parotta and other hot favourites.
Watch the Chinese fishing nets at sun-down: The cantilevered Chinese fishing nets are a sight to behold. Four strong men are needed, at the very least, to manoeuvre this. Come twilight, and the nets are drawn up in Fort Cochin. Caught fish are sold off right there, and down go the nets again!
Go spice-shopping at Mattancherry: You really cannot head out of Cochin without a sample of those famed spices, can you? Head to the headquarters of the trade at Mattancherry or even to its modern-day successor, Broadway.
Relax with an ayurvedic massage: When it comes to de-stressing, nothing beats an ayurvedic massage. Let expert masseurs swathe you in medicated oils and massage your cares away. Lie back and be rejuvenated.
Visit the Hill Palace Museum: The erst-while residence of the Cochin Royal Family is now a museum that gives you a peep into Cochin’s enchanting history. The first floor verandah gives you a scintillating panoramic view of Cochin.
Enjoy a Kathakali performance: Kerala’s very own dance-drama depicts tales from epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. The colourful, elaborate costumes and intricate mudras (gestures) make this an unforgettable experience.
Ride a city bus through M G Road: This will give you a ring-side view of Cochin’s busiest thoroughfare. In January, shops will be filled to overflowing as people ring in the new year with plenty of purchases. Go with the flow!
visit www.cohinoceanrace.com
Other areas of interest
Willingdon Island This island, on which stand the Naval Base, Cochin Port, warehouses, container terminals and glitzy five star hotels, is actually man made. Willingdon Island came into being only in the early 20th century, following the dredging of Cochin Harbour to create the new port. It is named after the British Viceroy Lord Willingdon who had commissioned the project.
Fort Cochin With a vantage location on the tip of Mattancherry Island, the town is the prime witness to the merging of the backwaters with the Arabian Sea. Fort Cochin has witnessed years of Portuguese, Dutch and English influence: though the architecture has become dilapidated, the town however, has lived on. A charming area: discover it on a cycle.
Mattancherry The heart of the erstwhile spice market, Mattancherry is still as busy as before. The famous Dutch Palace is the pivotal landmark of this town. Winding narrow alleys twist and turn through the inner belly of this market town. It also boasts an extremely diverse cultural fabric, with Konkan Brahmins, Gujarati Kutch Muslims, Latin Christians and the traditional Cochin Jews all living side by side. The Jew Town and Synagogue are worth spending hours on.
Ernakulam Though a relatively new part of the city, the exponential growth of Ernakulam has left Mattancherry and Fort Cochin far behind. Much of Ernakulam is known by its roads rather than specific areas. Arterial roads like Broadway and MG Road aside, the Marine Drive – a majestic boulevard flanked on one side by the glistening waters of the Vembanad Lake – is a sight to be savoured.