DAY 24 FEB 29 LOVING THE LEAP YEAR EXPLORING KOCHI

KOCHI SIGHSEEING
Located on the Southwest coast of the India peninsula, Fort Kochi's natural harbour, created by a massive flood in 1341 attracted merchants from all over the world.  In the 16th century, the Portuguese built a fort here, which was later occupied by the Dutch and then the Brits.  The area is declared a Heritage Zone (whatever that means) .  On the bus Gus....is that a picture of Jesus in the spot where they usually put the Hindu deities??? Yes indeed.  25% Christians in this area of India.

We tool around Old Cochin (now Kochi) and the famous "JEW TOWN"....lots of shops of course.  I did see Paradesi Synagogue which is India's oldest Synagogue.  The first Jewish settlers are said to have reached Kodugallur in the 1st Century AD.  Then the old Portuguese persecution came in the early 16th century which forced them to migrate to Cochin where they settled on land given by the raja and built a synagogue in 1568.  In 1940 there were 2500 Jewish families and today only a dozen families remain- most have migrated to Israel.  This is no Boca Raton my homies.

This area is known for trading, seafood and spices. Rated in National Geographic Traveller as on of the 50 greatest places of a lifetime.  Population 1.5 million.  The language is Malayalam and dollars.  Annie convinces Bocahita to come see the spices and why?

Annie is all about the Hindu and Buddhist tschokes....no Annie that won't fit in your suitcase but you can have it shipped.  Bubbs is an expert- he can help you out.

While Bubbs made fun of our tschoke shopping he couldn't resist his own Cobra snake....

No snake bites for my honey....do they have Copperheads here?

Professional laundry.  Nothing like smog to dry your clothes.

Everyone an entrepreneur.  These folks sort through the garbage collecting the tons of plastic water bottles we left....ew.  No drinking from the tap so what's a girl to do?











BOATS OF KERALA:  A BOAT RIDE FOR THE GANG
Hailed as "God's Country"

Kerala's ancient boat-building industry is a specialized part of its wood-working traditon.  Boats built here were highly prized and used by Arab merchants  The construction of a boat is always begun on an auspicious day in the Malayalam calendar, and is marked by an invocation to the gods.  Annie questions our fearless leader Seth as the the date of this boat building start.

We shove off from the hotel and out to sea...the Hotel sits on Wilmingdon Island which was man made in 1933 by the Brits.














A master craftsman assisted by a team of traditionally drawn helpers come from different religions, builds the boat.  No nails or metal pieces are used, only wooden pegs and joints hold the parts together.  The most sought after wood is anjuili though teak is also used.  And naturally a whole lotta fishing going on.

Chinese Fishing Nets....first erected between 1350 and 1450, these cantilevered fishing nets indicated trade links with China.  And there are about a gazillion of them in these parts.















Next stop :  COOKING DEMO AT NIMMY'S:  INDIA'S VERY OWN JULIA CHILD


On a leafy street in Kochi we visit Nimmy's for a lesson in Kerala Cooking.

 Nimmy and her hubby Paul (a stock broker) have been opening their home to not only family and fiends but tourists to learn the art of Kerala Cooking.

 MMMMMMM.  Nimmy had heard Bocahita did not know about cooking but she also heard that Bocahita was quite fond of food and particularly Indian food....









Nimmy is very proud of her New York Times write up from a few years ago.  And we all know how those New Yorkers are about their food!

Nimmy was sure to provide some white wine for Bocahita as she understood she was called Sister Chardonnay in this neck of the woods.










And Nimmy's 3 fabulous assistants-Bocahita asked if they had any cousins in South Florida who could do a party for her.....

Her lovely home was open to us ..

All rooms as neat as a pin.  Nimmy had heard Bocahita has a propensity to snoop around peoples homes and do the white glove test and TAKE PICTURES.  Yes and that probably means you.

check out her web site for more details
www.nimmypaul.com

and our favorite New Yorkers put Nimmy to the test.  She passed with flying colors!

Back to the hotel where Bubs convinced Bocahita he had her bath already for her.....alas not to be.  Now it is Bocahita's turn for the Delhi Belly...how can you catch this twice on one trip???