My husband and I had one short day in December in Cochin, from a cruise - 8:30 - 2 pm. Lijo was our well-groomed, enthusiastic, punctual, and experienced guide. He was flexible in his options where others were not. He arranged to pick us up with his driver and deliver us back to the ship in time, and took us on an array of sites in the surrounding areas. Compared with the cost of other operators in Cochin, Lijo's cost of $85 pp was excellent value for money, especially since it was just 2 of us for the day. We tipped both he and his driver well.
The highlight was a Kerala backwaters tour, which no one else on the cruise was able to arrange in the short time available However, Lijo did it for us, and did it in style. The covered longboat was waiting at the dock of the beautiful Vedic Village resort, and we cruised the enchanting backwaters in leisure for almost an hour. He was a font of information of every sort.
We then took a ferry with the locals - not a single other tourist was on the ferry boat - across the water to Fort Cochin where we visited several sites including temples, the Jewish Synagogue, and a chic cafe, Kashi, for coffee, chai tea, and the most splendid chocolate cake (recommended by Lonely Planet!)
All in all, a jam-packed and beautiful day, with the backwaters tour the most delightful way to spend an hour. We highly recommend the very professional services of Lijo and his excellent driver.