Friday, 15 February 2013

13th, 14th & 15th Feb

13th Feb 2013

We are starting to slow down a bit!  Today we visited the Jewish synagogue by tuk-tuk.  This can trace its history back to AD73 shortly after the Romans expelled the Jews from Jerusalem and although there are only about 60 remaining there has been a continuing Jewish presence ever since.  As a contrast we also visited the Jain Temple then back via shops where we bought a wooden elephant, Buddha and yet another scarf.  Well you have to don’t you!   Finished the afternoon sitting by the pool.  The musical accompaniment for this evening’s meal was Indian, this time a violin and tambour drum, ouch.

14 Feb 13

As it is Valentine’s Day the maids have placed bowls of red roses all over our little house and a large red heart in red rose petals on our bed.  Eighteen red roses in total were in the bowls and that is before you get to the hotel itself which was festooned with dozens of roses and red hearts.

We decided to visit Ernakulum, a town about 1.5 hours away by car but only 15 minutes by ferry.   It’s been a while since we took public transport in India so we thought it was about time we did.  We took a tuk-tuk to the ferry port & immediately noticed 2 queues for tickets, one for men and one much shorter queue for the ladies (that makes a change).  A ticket cost 2.5 rupees which is about 2.5p. 

Ernakulum is a large commercial city, very busy like all Indian towns, loads of jewellers etc.  We spent an hour or so looking around before walking back to the ferry alongside a beautifully maintained waterside park.  Alongside because as far as we could see all the entrances were closed so you couldn’t go in.  Another 2.5p for the ferry and 30p for the tuk-tuk and we were home.  I don’t know why we were so wary of taking tuk-tuks, as long as you are firm about where you want them to take you they are fine, if somewhat uncomfortable.

Pushed the boat out in the evening and had a lobster and seafood grill, £25 for two washed down with a bottle of Indian Chenin Blanc.  It weren’t half good!  The musical entertainment for the evening was western and appropriate to the Portuguese/Jewish heritage.  A duo who played everything from The Everly Brothers to Eagles and were named Fernandez and Isaacs.

 

 

15 Feb 13

Last day and a lazy one spent by the pool.

Carol got shat on by a bird,

Not once but twice how cool.

They say it’s lucky so to be

And so twice lucky she.

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