Kochi Struts its Stuff as Cruising Stopover

8:29 PM Sat 6 Dec 2008 GMT

'Traditional Dances will entertain' .

Kochi (formerly Cochin on the coast of south western India) is gearing to be the stopover that cruising sailors just won't want to miss when they are on their way across the Indian Ocean, and the arrival of that fleet of racing sailors in the Volvo Ocean Race is giving them an opportunity to strut their stuff.

Apart from being one of the richest ports in India with little poverty in evidence, blessed with a great harbour and a fascinating shore-side culture, it is located in rich tropical jungle, with more palm trees than the South Pacific, and a vast maze of tropical islands inland, called the 'Backwaters'. It's also currently building the only marina within thousands of miles of the Indian Ocean.

Volvo Ocean Race - the starters - .. .

So amidst tight security (in the wake of last week's terror strike in Mumbai) is set to turn on a ten day extravaganza of a welcome for the Volvo sailors that they are hardly likely to forget.

All the eight yachts have arrived, and been overwhelmed with the boisterous reception they received from the onlookers who had gathered at the Volvo Ocean village. Team Russia crew said they were 'deeply touched'.

The family members of the crew participating in the race are already here to greet their travel weary loved ones. The crew had set sail on the second leg of the race from Cape Town.

This is the first time in the 35-

Traditional Kerala style fish preparations - .. .

year history of the race, regarded as 'the ultimate in ocean racing competition' that an Indian port has been chosen for stopover.

'Kochi is fast forging ahead as an exciting international sailing hub and a vivacious leisure and lifestyle destination,' port Chairman, N Ramachandran said.

A 'Mini Pooram', being organised by Kerala Tourism, would be held later on Thursday, along with a Gujarati dance. A musical evening by Hariharan was also on the cards later in the evening, the organisers said.

'Bowing to Maestros' a fusion music programme by Mattannur Sankaran Kutty, Fazal Qureshi, Louis Banks, Parl Peters and Bala Bhaskar

Ancient traditional Kerala dances - .. .

would be organised in the coming days, besides various cultural programmes, including water pageantry by fishing vessels, Naval band, fashion show and Western music show.

Kerala's martial art form 'Kalaripayattu', dance forms - Kathakali and Mohiniattam - will also be staged. An acro show by paragliding world champion Mathew Rouanet would be held on December 11.

Several hoteliers and bakeries have put up their stalls in the 7,000 square feet food carnival, where variety of food delicacies are on offer, ranging from traditional Kerala style fish preparations, vegetarian dishes and

Martial arts of Kalari payattu - .. .

biriyanis.

State Home and Tourism Minister, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Wednesday said the work on the marina, being built at Kochi, was expected to be completed in a year's time and would accomodate about 40 yachts.

About the Volvo Race:
The race, commenced its round-the-world sailing from Alicante in Spain in October this year to cover over 39,000 nautical miles, visiting 11 ports across the world.

The race will set off on its third leg to Sentosa island in Singapore on December 13. The other ports where it would drop anchor are Qingdao (China), Rio de Janeiro, Boston, Galway (Ireland), Goteborg and Stockholm before finishing at St Petersburg.