A day out with my mom's family at Kochi -

Last Saturday(September 30,2017), being a holiday we planned for one day trip to Kochi. We prepared lunch for all at home Friday night, one or more items at a home so that all can eat it. Today morning around 4.30 a.m, we started our trip to Ernakulam from my mom’s home. Once we got into the bus, after a prayer, we took the mic and had a great time for some time. Kids sang songs, narrated stories and enjoyed well.

Around 10 a.m , we had our breakfast. There was so many varieties, idiappam, idli, puttu, banana etc.. After breakfast, we went to National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom, Vallarpadam. The picture of Mary and Infant Jesus, installed at the top of the main altar of the Vallarpadam Church.There was a well from where people drank holy water. People were fulfilling their vows by sweeping the floor using broomstick.

As the feast is going on, couldn’t capture the complete picture of the church. Here are few pics for you,

As we had our lunch on hand,we ate our lunch at auditorium of vallarpadam basilica. They charged 3 INR per person. After lunch, we went into the church, prayed and returned back.

Then, we went to Kochi Marine Drive. We hired a boat for 2 hours with rate of 200 INR per person. We enjoyed boat ride. We have taken adai payasam to boat and enjoyed having it at boat. We got down at Mattanchery palace. I didn’t capture any pictures because photography is prohibited inside the palace. The entry fee is 5 INR per person.

Mattanchery palace is a Portuguese palace, known as Dutch palace. It has an ivory palanquin, a howdah, royal umbrellas, ceremonial dress used by the royalty, coins, stamps and drawings. After visiting Mattanchery palace, you can go to Jew town but as it was late, we didn’t go there. On the way back to boat jetty, we saw a ship, heavy goods ship, chinese fishing net. Fishermen were catching fish and it was really good to see. Loading and unloading of goods in ship is also a worth watch.