Joyce Xavier

Guide profile:

As every Keralite I also regard my guests as Gods. I am patient, gentle, gentlemanly, communicative, flexible and always thriving to give money's worth to the guests. My service motto is to receive a guest and send back a friend.

I speak English very clearly and slowly. The guests will not have any difficulty in understanding my English. My talks will be short and brief. I wait patiently for the questions from the tourists and answer the questions to their best satisfaction. I always attempt to understand the requirements of the visitors and nature of information my guests seek. I was always successful in offering the best solutions and answers.

I have traveled in the tourist destinations of south India with small groups of 4 to 20 and FITs. I have worked for international tour operators like Kuoni, Distant Frontiers, Abercrombie & Kent, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts. ( I was the proffered guide for their cruise Vessel " Vrinda " in Kerala, India. . . for the past 8 years. ) Le Passage to India. Kochi. Poonam Holidays, World -wide Travel Tours, London etc. ,

etc. ,

I have also offered my services to passengers of cruise liners like Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth II Aida Cara, Silver Cruisers, Pacific Princess, Sun Princess, M. S. Amsterdam, Seabourn Sojourn, Seaboune Spirits, Oceanus Nautica, Brilliance of the seas. Balmoral, etc. , I have offered city sightseeing and day return shore excursions in premium cars favoring the tourists attracting their entire satisfaction.

I have always loved the company of tourists and it was my passion to become a guide and work as the unofficial ambassador to my country.

Eminent personalities I have assigned to.

1. Mr. Richard Attenburough who came to Kerala to shoot the Oscar winning film "Gandhi. "

2. Mr. Alexander Fret of "Chasing the Monsoon"

3. Mr. Simon Winchester, of "Conte Naste, " Magazine U. S. A. ,

4. Mr. R. D. S. Oberoi and his son Mr. Vikram Obreroi.

5. Duke of Kent, T R H Prince Edward (Edward George Nicholas Patrick Paul), and the Duchess of Kent, H R H The Duchess of Kent (Katharine Kent ).

Tour guide services/sample itinerary:

Kochi (Cochin) Sightseeing Tours

The guests arriving Cochin ( Kochi ) will be met at the hotel lobby

or the of Kochi Port ( in case they are arriving by cruiser liners.

). The guests are then transferred to a latest model transport

vehicle for the proposed itineraries.

Kochi Shore Excursion

Drive 30 minutes to ancient city of Fort Kochi to see the oldest

European settlement in India. The visits include St. Francis church, in Fort Kochi with the first tomb of Vasco de Gama 2. Chinese Fishing

Nets ( these are fishing gadget introduced by Chinese traders in 14th century. ) The area is

lined up with fish stalls selling fresh fish to local residents.

(Tourists can buy fish there and the cook for eating if they choose )

3. Drive to Jewish Town and visit the Old Jewish Synagogue, oldest in British Commonwealth and wander around the old Jewish settlement in Jew Town ( as is written ona sign board there.) Walk 10 minutes to see the Dutch Palace ( of the

Cochin Maharajas with the most beautiful mural paintings, 200 yaears

old )

This tour can be combined with a houseboat cruise in backwaters of Kerala.

Kerala Backwater Holidays & Tours.

Drive 1 1/2 hours to Alappuzha ( Alleppey ) and board a houseboat,

Kerala's unique way of cruising the backwaters. The cruise go along the rivers Vembanad,

Pampa ( the Ganges of Kerala), Manimala, Achancoil etc., and witness

the life and times of of the virgin backwater villages of Alappuza or

Alleppey. Go to the area where rice is cultivated in paddy fields

under sea level ( paddy fields recalimed from the river. After

cruising for 2 hours anchor the boat middle of the waters and sit for

the lunch (A "Sadya" Kerala's National Lunch ) and later a short

siesta resume cruising for 2 hours into the narrow canals bringing the

village life closer to the boat and photograph the villages.

End the tour with an evening tea with snacks in the boat on cruise.

Drive back 1 1/2 hours to Kochi.

Transportation by tour guide:

Yes, transportation is arranged upon request. The cost is on par with local hire charges.

All the cars used are latest model international brands like Toyota, Chevrolet, Mercedes etc.,

Transportation is arranged for groups 1 to 30 people.

Private sightseeing & group tours offered by this guide:

Tour guide interests:

Design personalized tours to Kerala & s.India.

S.India city with highlight on Darvidian Temples and culture.

S.India travels through villages with special emphsasis on cottage and small scale industries

S.India tours with focus on peoples' way of life.

Reviews of this tour – by clients who booked!