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Published: October 21st 2006
After a gruelling 16 hour train journey, we have arrived in Kochi, Kerala and have begun the final leg of our Indian tour. It has gone so quickly - there is so much to see in India! We hopped off the train and made our way to the ferry to take us across to Fort Cochin. We looked around for a bit and have found a nice hotel to stay in, pretty much central to all that is going on here.
The evening we arrived, we both felt that we deserved a treat - there was a massage parlour just around the corner....the Ayurvedic massage. It was highly recommended by the lonely planet and everyone talks about it. But it truly was an experience, an unexpected one, Chris found it even. . . disturbing. We both had to walk into our separate rooms with two people in each - barely speaking english "everything off". We were like, "pardon? EVERYTHING?" well, we thought, must just be down to underwear. Pictures outside showed the client wrapped in a towel. But NO, EVERYTHING OFF. Theu then had us lying on front and back while they rubbed oil over our bodies vigerously, going over
and almost INTO every crick and cranny. I think you get the idea. It was not as relaxing as we had forseen.
Today, we have tried a bit of a whirlwind sight seeing tour. Our first stop was the Catholic Cathedral, Santa Cruz Basilica. It was very different to what we were expecting of a cathedral - it had colour paintings all over the ceiling and walls. We also caught the end of morning mass where everyone was dressed in the brightest, whitest clothes.
Next stop, we saw the oldest European built church in India. Afterwards we made our way to the Chinese fishing nets where the fishermen were getting us involved in pulling on the ropes to haul in their latest catch and showing us all the fish. Behind each fishing spot was a fish monger. We picked ourselves a big Red Snapper for lunch and then took it to one of the "You Buy, We Cook" shacks right next door.
After lunch, we wandered along the coast and then bought ourselves two tickets to see the Kathakali performance in the evening. This literally means "story plays" and has been around since the 2nd century. Drummers
and singers perform alongside the characters acting out the story. Before the performance started, we arrived about an hour early to watch them putting on their make-up which took over an hour - it was really bright and intricate - you can see by the pictures! It was a real experience to see it.
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Mum F
non-member comment
Kerala photos
hello Chris and Caroline I have just read through your latest blog and what a fantastic collection of photos. The buildings look beautiful and I bet you really enjoyed watching the artists perform. I am not surprised you found the massage a bit scary I can just see your face Chris. What is your hotel like? I bet it seems strange sleeping in the hotel room after being in the bamboo hut for a week. You certainly are looking well and enjoying yourself. Thanks for the blog. Keep up the good work. I sent you an email yesterday but for some reason it never went, so I hope it has this time. Keep in touch and look after yourselves. Tons of Love MumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXX