 We
were up by 8 to have breakfast up on the terrace and met with our new CEO
Sanjay, who gave us a history of Fort
Kochi. His English was not quite as good as Parry's but we think he
was also a bit nervous - we're a pretty wild crew :). Sanjay was very experienced,
knowledgeable and gracious.
He collected the general tip kitty of 800 rupees each for hotel staff and local guides and 200 for the various bus drivers and assistants . . . cheaper than for the north - 3500 rupees each! We left the hotel shortly after our group meeting and met our first local guide. We don't recall his name, but like all our local guides, he had his spiel down pat. The first site was Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica built by the Portugese centuries ago -- the Portugese first arrived here in 1500. It is still used today. There are many paintings of the crucifixion of Christ, Virgin Mary, etc. on the ceiling and in creches. The next site was St. Francis Church where Vasco da
Gama was once buried. When the Dutch took control, they used it to store
ammunition. Since then, it has been restored into a multi-denomination
church. From there we walked back to the beach area.
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SETTING OFF ON THE DAY'S ADVENTURE
A Visit to Kochi's Historic
Churches
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
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KOCHI'S HISTORIC CHURCHES 
GALLERY TWO CONTAINS 3 PARTS: 1. Santa Cruz Basilica :: 2. St Francis Church :: Outtakes |
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