Entries about kathakali

Dutch Palace

Tuk tuk or auto rickshaw to the Dutch Palace.

Andrea and Raj

The Palace was built and gifted by the Portuguese as a present to the king of Cochin around 1555. The Dutch carried out some extensions and renovations in the palace in 1663, and thereafter it was popularly called Dutch Palace. The rajas also made more improvements to it. Today, it is a portrait gallery of the Cochin Rajas and notable for some of the best mythological murals in India, which are in the best traditions of Hindu temple art. The palace was built to appease the king after they plundered a temple nearby. Thanks Mr Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattancherry_Palace

By now it was certainly not only hot but also humid. With the crowd it was no fun being herded like cattle inside the palace.

No photography in the main rooms so have a look at Google Images.

https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=dutch+palace+in+kochi&rlz=1C1GGRV_enNZ751NZ751&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjXnc3f0bfZAhWGbbwKHcJUCm0QsAQIOw&biw=1536&bih=734

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattancherry_Palace

https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/mattancherry-palace-kochi/178

http://www.keralatourism.org/kochi/dutch-palace-mattancherry.php

http://www.cochin.org.uk/tourist-attractions/mattancherry-palace.html

As it was a worship day the nearby 400-year-old synagogue was closed. Never mind, we will visit it tomorrow before heading to the railway station.

Ginger House

The trip notes said “free time to explore Matlancherry’s spice market and Jewish Quarter" but as I was here yesterday I opted to take Phrem’s suggestion and had lunch with Marinaand Andy at the more expensive water edge Ginger House.

Of course we had whatever was on the menu that had ginger in it. I had the grilled fish 870 rupees / NZ$18.30 / US$13.50 plus a couple of Ginger lime soda at 170 rupees / NZ$3.60 / US$2.60 each. Desert was their Ginger ice cream with banana chips 350 rupees / NZ$7.40 / US$5.40. Total 1,510 rupees / NZ$31.80 / US$23.40.

http://www.gingerhousecochin.com/

Here are Google Images
https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=ginger+house+restaurant+kochi&rlz=1C1GGRV_enNZ751NZ751&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjcwZ_r07fZAhUS5rwKHQ_GCScQsAQIVQ&biw=1536&bih=734

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/kochi-cochin/restaurants/ginger-house/a/poi-eat/1293661/356338

A pleasant 2 hours before walking the 2.5 km back along the by now familiar road. While there was a more direct route, this one was more interesting. So a few more street scenes were captured by my lens.

More useless information = first quality chilli is 120 rupees / NZ$2.50 / US$1.85 a kilo.

Now 3pm / 15:00 and time to upload some images in the comfort of the air con hotel room.

Phrem suggested that I go down to the Chinese fishing nets to take some sunset photos. Shown where the Kathakali theatre was and down to the waterfront I headed.

Pity the sun wasn't in the position of the postcards nor that there was any clouds.

Kathakali

The evening performance of Kathakali is a form of traditional dancing from Kerala. Considered one of the oldest dance forms in India, Kathakali is a combination of drama, dance, music and ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-enact stories from the Hindu epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana. This dance drama is famous for amazing costumes, extensive makeup explosive body movements and is performed exclusively by men.

http://www.kathakalicentre.com/

What do I think of the performance? Unless one was really interested in local dance and yes, this form of dance is unique, let's just say that it should be an optional extra. I'm glad that I was at the back with my monopod so that I could stand to take the few pictures / videos that I did but it also meant that I could also take a........ I'll let you finish the sentence.

A group headed to Fusion Bay for dinner. Meen Thilappichathu or fish in spicy kerela broth. Yes, the most popular recipe used by families in Cochin of fish boiled with turmeric powder, chilli and vinegar certainly had some kick in it. Wow! That plus the ginger lime soda and basmati rice finished off the day. 540 rupees / NZ$11.40 / US$8.40.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/kochi-cochin/restaurants/fusion-bay/a/poi-eat/1557307/356338