Kerala- Cochin (2015)
-Description to be added

We stayed in Ernakulam: Hotel Mermaid- backyard

Floating plants on water- moves due to flow of backwaterCormorants busy fishing

Foreign Traders came to India through Kerala just for pepper. Pepper exchange in Cochin is like stock exchange in New York

Entrance to Exchange- Auctioning was once a tourist attraction

There is no traditional auctioning now. All electronic!. We missed the auction fun.

India pepper and spice trade association

We are in Fort Cochi- popular tourist area

Jews settled in Cochin in BC - before Christ!

Antique shops on the street leading to Synagogue

Near by street

Plenty of Antique shops- Can spend easily $10-10000 per pieceLalitha took this shot

Antique for sale

First Synagogue in the country

Paradesi Synagogue was built in 1568 in Cochin

We went on a Saturday- closed for sabbath. This is the main entrance

Several views of Synagogue inside from internet

From internet

Inside from Internet

Inside from internet

Old commandments through a key hole

My bird watching camera has 12X Zoom

A gate nearby with stars of David and Menorah

Now we proceed to Dutch Palace

Staircase to palace from internet.

Sideview of the palace from internet

The Protected Monument gives the details of all Cochin Rajahs (many have the last name of Varma)Go through metal detectors and no photography allowed inside (and so I took few from internet)

Palace is internationally known for its Murals (wall painting probably 16th century) depicting scenes from Ramayana and Krishna Lila (in Rajah's bed chamber)- from internet

Another mural- from Internet- No photography allowed and no book in print. A nice coffee table book will be a welcome addition

Ramayana-from internet

Ramayana- from internet

Famous Mural-Krishna Lila- Bed Chamber Paintings- from internet

Famous Mural-Bed Chamber paintings- from internet

View from the palace- Pond- from internet

Oldest European Church in India- Built in 1503

Vasco Da Gama was buried here in 1524. After 14 years his son took the remains to Lisbon, Portugal

Church from entrance

Vasco Da Gama Description

Burial location

Found inside a shop nearby

Santa Cruz Cathedral- also an old church built in 1505

Church from outside

Church inside

Chinese fish net- icon of Cochi- these are "shore operated lifts"-from internet

Chinese fishnets are used in China and technology was imported from Chinese traders centuries ago and still in use-from internet

Our fish net. We saw the demo.

Balancing weights used to lift the net after catching fish

It is a harbor. Ships go by.

Fish caught in our demo fish net

Our tour guide is showing off his catch but crows grabbed many before him

Sunset

Trying to catch it!

Sunset at a harbor is always a beauty when clouds cooperateWe said Good Bye to Fort Cochi after seeing the free show in the sky

Sunrise from the hotelTime to leave for Alappuzha

Hawks on the terrace- learnt the eating habits of hawks- not pleasant but it is natural selection

We are stopping at Cherthala (Seru +Thalai) on our way to Alappuzha

Cherthala Karthyayani Devi Temple (Tamil and malayalam)- Seru means mud and thala means head. Devi's head was found in the mud. and then consecratedPlace got the name Cherthala

Typical Kerala architectture

Temple Guardian - Lord Shastha

Floor to ceiling in wood- Protects the temple and people; Cock sacrifice in the past

Another view from outsideDevi goes on a female elephant for processionPrameela, most loved elephant lived for 90 years!People still remember it

EntranceAn unusual practice- temple elephant is female

Mandapam- see photo of Prameela, temple elephant

Flag Pole