All Our Bags Are Packed!

 India # 9 - Mangalore & Cochin

          

      It's always fun to watch people--children and adults

Big decision: Which flavor is best?

Hotel Suhani is definitely NOT a five star property. In fact, it doesn't deserve any star rating!

                                Visiting a Hindu Temple

Vast area provides different venues for prayer

All of the animals and figurines have religious significance

Every five to ten minutes bells would ring inviting people to pray

                    Priests were stationed throughout the area

The priest sitting in the small room came out and prayed with this lady for a few minutes

These women moved from one area to another - praying in each site

There was always something interesting to see throughout the temple

Local workman: Have tools, will travel

Cultural show at port before we boarded the ship

 Cochin harbor - several different (historical) architectural styles

Ship is docking at this location

Plenty of tuk-tuk taxis waiting to take passengers on tours

Tanker trucks lined up to get gas from depot. They will then travel to gas stations and fill-up their underground tanks

Nearby park adjacent to fishing boat dock

There were a few people begging or trying to sell trinkets

At first we though this eight-year old girl was carrying a doll---until the doll moved and whimpered. The girl was carrying a newborn baby; perhaps a week or two old. It's young mother was nearby

Colorful vendor

Colorful shop

Old technology: Fishing dock with large nets

Walked on a rickety dock to get a closer look at the nets

Notice the large rocks tied to the ropes

Using the heavy rocks, the crew lowers and lifts the nets using a cantilevered system

The bird is swooping down to catch a fish

Plenty of "Kodak moments"

                  We had no idea what this vendor was selling

Different architecture comes from Portuguese, Dutch, English and Mid-east influence

                                Needs a haircut and shave

   Multiple generations of Jews can trace their heritage to Cochin

Cochin was historically known for its large percentage of Jewish people

         It's possible that Jews came here around the time of Jesus

          They certainly arrived following the Spanish inquisition

  Some religious items remain from families that lived in this town

                  There are only three Jews left in Cochin today.