The Stopover event and entertainment at the Race Village, Kochi

Much said about the Kochi stopover. So, what's in store for the race teams and the visitors at the Race Village in Kochi?

The organisers have planned a series of entertainment events to accompany the stop over. The good news is visitors are free to enter the race village. However, the authorities say there will be strict security. As a part of this, Visitors will not be allowed to carry packets, bags, briefcases and so on. Not enough a reason to put you or me out from visiting the race village, as this is what I believe is once-in-a-life-time opportunity. We never know, when next Kochi will get the opportunity to host Volvo Ocean Race stop over!

Back to the discussion on entertainment programmes; the team will get a formal welcome on December 3rd. The best opportunity to showcase Kerala culture and promote tourism. According to a press release, the following is the list of events to be staged between December 3 and 13.

1. Keraleeyam, an entertainment show will steal the show with 45 traditional artists performing Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Theyyam, Kalarippayattu, Thiruvathirakali etc.
2. Be ready to witness a min-Thrissur pooram.
3. There will be peformances of chenda-violin fusion, fusion music, Arabanamuttu, Kolkali and Margamkali.
4. Intercollegiate fashion show on Kerala clothing evolution.
5. Cultural performances by Students, Quiz programme and Naval Band.
6. Western Music Competition
7. Cochin-Kavarathi offshore race will be flagged off during the ceremony.
8. There will be both snake boat race in Ernakulam channel and sail boat race in Mattanchery channel.
9. There will be a food carnival, Para gliding show, Acro Air Show, Trade fair, exhibition by Volvo Group, Erricson and Puma.

For regional, national and international audience, here's an opportunity to witness a range of entertainment programmes across ten days. If you are a tourist visiting Kerala during December, make sure you visit the Race Village for atleast a day.

Volvo Ocean Race gets ready to leave Cape Town for Kochi, India

For the first time in Asia, Volvo Ocean Race is stopping over at Kochi from December 3-13. The event is jointly organised by Kerala Tourism Department, Govt. of Kerala and Cochin Port Trust. The racing fleet will flag off from Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday.

The team will cover 4,450 miles to reach Kochi on December 3rd. According to the press release, the sail will take 18 days to reach Kochi, India. The route is new to all the eight teams. In the history of sailing competition, this would be the first time a professional sailing competition is taking the new route, referred to as the 'unknown' for the sailors of the race.

And as the team gets ready to leave Cape Town, sports enthusiasts, the domestic crowd and the organisers are eagerly looking forward for the mega-event to touch the shores of Kochi!