Having your cake… and more cake!

We spent today exploring Kochi, which is very pretty and green. The city has a strong colonial feel, as many of the buildings were built by the Portuguese, Dutch and British, who colonised the area in that order. There are more Christian churches than we even see at home and for centuries it had also been a safe haven for Jewish people fleeing persecution, although most left when Israel was established. This, as well as the Muslim and Hindu influences, has made it a true cultural melting-pot. We have been quite surprised at how proud the Indian people are of their colonial heritage, seeming to view this period of their history as a collaboration rather than occupation.

A highlight of the day for us was helping reel in the now-traditionally-Keralan Chinese fishing nets and, in the evening, we saw a wonderful, traditional Kathakali dance show - although my daughter didn’t expect to be one of the performers!

We’re having such an amazing time that none of us remembered that today is my birthday until our guide gave us a cake at lunchtime! I had another surprise cake at the hotel restaurant after dinner, was serenaded by all the staff, and our tour operator gave me the most beautiful carved wooden box with gold inlays. What a day!