Santa Cruz Cathedral Basillica

 Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Fort Kochi is one of the eight Basilicas in Kerala.It was built originally by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558, was spared by the Dutch conquerors who destroyed many Catholic buildings. Later the British demolished the structure and João Gomes Ferreira  commissioned a new building in 1887. Consecrated in 1905, Santa Cruz was proclaimed a Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984.

Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica, Kochi

 This is an outside statue in its own building dedicated to the Blessed Mother. 

I found the confessional quite interesting, and not very private- except for the fact I can not understand Malayalam. 

Ayurvedic Massage

I decided to try an ayurvedic massage at one of the hotels I was staying at. This 5,000-year-old Indian healing method  utilizes medicated herbal oil to bring harmony to the mind, body, and spirit. That may be true, but my body was completely doused in oils. The treatment I received began with ayurvedic practitioner Shaiya having me remove all clothing and wearing nothing but those lovely paper panties. Sitting on a small wooden bench, she first gave me a pizhichil. which is a "dusting" of a cloth dipped herbal oils dip all over my body.  Next she poured warm oil on my head and proceeded to chant, and gave me a wonderful head massage.  She followed that up with a marma abhyanga, a massage with warm organic extra virgin coconut oil, organic sesame oil, and various other oils that is supposed to leave the skin revitalized. I just felt like a greased pig and could not wash the oil out of my hair or off my body for two days. 

St Francis Church Kochi

St. Francis Church is believed to be one of the oldest churches in India, which was made by the Portuguese.

St. Francis Church - Kochi

 Inside St. Francis Church.... It's a landmark where the body of late legendary explorer Vasco da Gama was buried. According to the legend, Vasco da Gama who was the first European to discover a route in India last breathed at this place in the year 1524. It was his third visit to this church and his body was buried here itself. It is said that his remains were shipped to Lisbon after 14 years, but the gravestone is still seen in this church.

No nativity scene - rather this snowman made from paper cups

Biennale

You write messages in water - this is from a Chinese artist who practiced this way since he had no paper growing up.

The Kochi-Muziris Biennale is an international exhibition of contemporary art held in Kochi, Kerala. It is the largest art exhibition in India and the biggest contemporary art festival in Asia. 

The colorful ropes were created by an Indian woman to represent the Banyan tree.

Nativity Scene at St. George's Church

Snack Time!

pineapple juice

 The routine for eating - is a lot! First there is breakfast which is rice or rice noodles (Sevia) with vegetables, chicken, or fish. 
Next is lunch which again can be rice or chapati (unleavened flat bread) with curries and vegetables. Then around five there is tea time - followed by dinner at 9:00. 

carrot coconut cake

savory snacks - fried vegetables.

St. George's Forane Church, locally known as Edapally Church is a Catholic pilgrimage church in Edapally, Kochi, India. Asia's largest shrine to Saint George, about five million people visit it every year. The church is thought to have been founded in 593 AD.

Village life

 During the tour of a village via a canoe not only did I see exotic fruits and spices but a nativity scene and a decorated tree.  

Christmas boating

Part of the houseboating experience included a small canoe to the backwaters where we saw villagers bathing and washing clothes. 

Christmas Day Houseboating

Two elderly men used large wooden bamboo poles to navigate the slow-moving houseboat along the river. The boat is about 60 to 70 feet long. The hull is made of wooden planks that are held together by ropes of coconut fiber. The roof is made of bamboo poles and palm leaves. The exterior of the boat is painted with protective coats of cashew nut oil.
It was a very relaxing 2 hours- so much so that one of the tourists snored so loudly that his son kept trying to wake him up to no avail.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered one of the richest temple in the world. A hidden treasure vault had been discovered beyond the already well-documented Vault B inside. Adding to recent treasure findings in several other vaults, the researchers are estimating could total over $1 trillion. But that is where the problem starts, nobody wants to dare open the hidden inner sanctum.

Like all hidden treasure stories, Kerala’s Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has been a fascination in India for many years, and one shrouded in mystery and fear. Two enormous Cobras are rumored to be protecting the innermost hidden chamber. To make matters worse, legend has it that anyone who opens the vault will be met with disastrous results.

Attukal Temple

This colorful temple dedicated to a Hindu goddess is known for its female-focused annual festival. In fact it holds the Guiness World Record for the largest annual gathering of women is achieved by 2.5 million women on 10 March 2009 during the  Attukal Pongala festival.

Santa's Helpers

 Coming back to my hotel, Santa's musical elves riding on motorcycles and playing the drum drove through the busy streets.

Shankumugham Beach

Shankumugham Beach is a famous beach near Thiruvananthapuram city, in Kerala.
This is a sculpture named `Relaxation'.














The sunbathing Jalakanyaka (mermaid) at Shankumugham Beach was created using concrete, and is about 75’ long.

Sunset at the Arabian Sea

 People come out in droves just to watch the sunset  at Shankumugham Beach.  And we were not disappointed.

Heavenly Homestay, Fort Kochi

 This is my humble abode for three days. The lips headboard creates a real sense of ambience!

Street Food vs. "Americanized food"

A little bit of Christmas

 Deni's family had a wonderful Christmas celebration at Pa Chandra and Ibu Irene's house. 

 Santa Cruz Basilica in Kochi getting ready for Midnight Mass

Throughout different areas of the city you will find Nativity scenes.

Kanyakumari, India

While waiting for the ferry - this sign was posted throughout the hall

Snacks rolled up in newspaper are the epitome of street food in India. This is a type of white bean that has been boiled then spices added to it. Yum!

Thiruvalluvar Statue

On two small islands near the town of Kanyakumari, where two seas and an ocean meet;the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean  are a statue and a memorial. There is only one way to get to the rock memorial and view the Thiruvalluvar Statue and that is by ferry. Thiruvalluvar Statue is a 133 feet (40.5 m) tall stone sculpture of the Tamil poet and saint Thiruvalluvar.  

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

 This memorial was constructed in honour of the great spiritual leader and Hindu monk of India, Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment here after meditating for two days,prior to his famous Chicago trip December 1892 trip. This rock is also considered sacred as local legends say Goddess Devi Kumari blessed the rock while performing austerity.