We stopped by the "Wedding Palace" to check out the wedding saris but stopped first in women's ready to wear.  A small department staffed by 15 young ladies and 15 men.  Who on earth wants a man in a women's dress department, unless he is there to pay of course.  All 30 danced attendance on Fanny as she was the only customer.

Upstairs a bevy of pretty young assistants waited to model the gorgeous red (for a traditional bride) fabric, draped around them by their colleagues.   A middle aged matron was choosing a $350 special occasion sari but sadly the fabric would never look as good again as it did on the model.

We stayed and chatted  with the giggling girls sitting on raised counters surrounded by silks of every glorious hue.  We felt sorry for the male assistants as they could not join in our merry 'hen' party.

Chinese fishing nets at Fort Cochin

Fanny bargained for our shrimp, catching the fishmonger out giving us short measure. (not these guys)

We then choose a small cafe by the waters edge to cook it for us.  We didn't choose well, they over cooked the shrimp and forgot to add any spice to the vegetable rice we ordered to accompany the fish.  Gastronomically disappointing but  high on experience and ambiance.