India: Fort Kochi or Bust

Our flight was late departing and arriving, but we eventually landed at COK and collected our bags.

Our pre-arranged driver was waiting and off we went in his little Hyundai sedan.

We'd forgotten how tiring Indian road trips can be, but we were reminded as soon as we lurched off, constantly jockeying for position with a continually honking horn punctuating it all.

It took us well over an hour to drive the 18 miles, and we got our money's worth (about US $27) in entertainment alone, at some points feeling like we were inside a video game, dodging oncoming tuk-tuks, motorcycles, and buses.

Our skillful driver seemed quite pleased with our 300-rupee (US $4.60) tip.

Finally we entered the Brunton Boatyard Hotel in Fort Kochi, a well reviewed little oasis in the midst of the chaos that is India. We were greeted with Indian-style leis, cool towels, and a cold tropical juice.

There's tea at 5, a sunset boat ride at 5:30, a cooking demonstration at 6:30, and dinner starting at 7:30.

That gives us 2 1/2 hours to relax on our four-poster bed, and we hope to snooze. Indian travel is a tiring task.