I had a couple of days in Thiruvananthapurum (aka Trivandrum) before meeting Cath and Helene. When I think of Thiruvananthapurum, I wonder if it’s twinned with that Welsh town with a very very long name. For my first full day, I headed to Sree Padmanabhhaswamy Temple. If you tell taxi drivers you want to go … Continue reading / view photos Temple, market, and moonlight swimming
Category: Culture
Train to Thiruvananthapurum
Indian trains are renowned for overcrowding. This occurs for the unticketed seats. For the ticketed seats, there is a sophisticated buying system. Some seats have higher demand, like those with air-conditioning. For these, you generally have to buy an advanced ticket because they can sell out quickly. You have several options. If you try early … Continue reading / view photos Train to Thiruvananthapurum
Jew Town
On my guided sightseeing trip with Jithu, he also took me to Jew Town in Kochi (aka Cochin). History Jewish settlers came to India as early as the 1st Century. Following floods and persecution by Portuguese colonists, Jews moved to Kochi in the 14th Century. They were welcomed by the Raja at the time. He gave … Continue reading / view photos Jew Town
Mattancherry Palace Museum
On my guided sightseeing trip with Jithu, he also took me to Mattancherry Palace Museum in Kochi (aka Cochin). The museum occupies a 16th-century Portuguese palace, known as the “Dutch Palace” after later renovations. Construction of the palace began around 1555. It was gifted to Vira Kerala Varma (the Raja/King of Kochi at the time) … Continue reading / view photos Mattancherry Palace Museum
Sightseeing with Jithu
Yesterday, a tuk tuk driver, Jithu, took me to the Love in Earth restaurant. Tuk tuk drivers are always trying to give you a cheap tour. They charge a low price because they take you to tourist shops. These shops sell you things like jewellery, perfume, spices, saris, scarves, and ornaments. The drivers get a … Continue reading / view photos Sightseeing with Jithu
Lulu Mall
On my second day, I returned to Lulu Mall, one of the biggest shopping malls in India. This young woman I was talking to said the Trivandrum one is bigger now. I was reminded that there’s one thing that makes or breaks you in India: a packed local bus journey. You’ll love it for being … Continue reading / view photos Lulu Mall
Return to Kochi
On my first and only trip to India in 2017/8, I travelled south to north on the western side. For my second trip, I’m planning to see more of the eastern side. I’ve started in a familiar place, Kochi. I was last here at the end of 2017. I reached Kochi from London via Abu … Continue reading / view photos Return to Kochi
Morecombe and Wise, K-Dramas, and Christmas lights
Christmas time is full of traditions, and everyone has their own. For many people, TV and shopping are a big part of Christmas. The Morecombe & Wise Show When we were growing up, we celebrated Diwali not Christmas. But I have fond memories of Christmas, the highlight of which was watching the telly. I grew … Continue reading / view photos Morecombe and Wise, K-Dramas, and Christmas lights
Open House 2024
I’ve been to Open House a few times. Every year, the Open House Festival opens up London’s architecture, special sites, and neighbourhoods. Some of the places are not normally accessible to the public. You get to see people’s homes, offices, and other interesting buildings. Some places you must book but others you can just drop … Continue reading / view photos Open House 2024
A play, the lido, and outdoor cinema
Last weekend started with a trip to the National Theatre in central London on the river. We went to see The Grapes of Wrath. This is a play of the novel by John Steinbeck. The play follows the book quite closely and recreates the feel of the book with a minimalist set, which was highly … Continue reading / view photos A play, the lido, and outdoor cinema