View of Sunset in a Cruise at Cochin sea

One must not miss Sunset cruise journey at Kochi. This two hour journey starts at different timings based on the sunset time of the year. In summer ( month of May ) it starts at 5.30 PM and returns at 7.30 PM. Tickets are available near the jetty at marine drive. For this sunset cruise ticket rate is Rs 200 for adults and Rs 150 for kids. Kerala Shipping & Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd organizes this trip. Reporting time is one hour before the starting of the cruise. Free vehicle parking is available on the jetty for the ticket holders.
Kochi Marine drive from Sea

This cruise has got a conference room facility also. Guide on this small ships explained all about the harbor and waterway No 3 of Kochi cost. This national waterway number 3 with a length of 168 KMs has channels marked with different color floating indicators. The view of marine drive with tall buildings was highlighting the commercial activities of this busy cit. Two rainbow bridges were adding to the beauty of the place. There were many small and big houseboats, fiber boats and passenger boats were anchored around the marine drive.
Kochi Marine drive from Sea

As we started moving towards Cochin shipyard the guide explained us about different operations involved in ship building. There were many warships from Indian Navy anchored at the naval yard. We moved towards Rajiv Gandhi Container handling terminal. This one is a new terminal with modern container handling cranes and equipments. It has improved the efficiency of the port and reduced the average waiting time for ships to load and upload.

Kochi Marine drive from Sea

The famous Bolgatty Palace located in an ( Bolgatty ) island was in our right side. To our left was the famous Willingdon island, which was artificially build along with the construction of the port with the excavated soil from the sea bed. There is a boat kept at a park on this island which has the honor of having three prime ministers of India as its passenger. Pandit Nehru, Smt Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had traveled in this boat at different times during their tenure as Prime minister of India.

Kochi Marine drive from Sea

Slowly we moved towards deep sea and on the way at our left there were famous Chinese Fishing Nets. There were number of nets installed and these are now taken as symbol of Kerala tourism. In the evening these nets are dipped inside the water and a light is kept at just above the water level to attract fishes. Morning it is lifted up with fishes trapped inside the net.

Kochi Marine drive from Sea

We were far from city. Tall Buildings were not visible. Sun was slowly diving into the sea. All the tourist were busy in taking photographs. It was the time for evening snacks and tea. After the sunset the cruise has taken one U turn across a floating indicator. There was not much to see in the dark. Than started the dancing and singing program. A professional group was there on the ship. Many tourists joined them in dancing. Finally we returned at 7.45 PM to the jetty.