Calicut Discoveries -- Tuesday, 11/14/17

This morning -- and mind you, we did all this in the morning -- was a tuk tuk trip through the old city of Calicut (Kozhikode), exploring EVERYTHING!  At 10 am In front of our hotel, everyone in the group picked out a tuk tuk, and hopped on board.  We figured out why they're called tuk tuk -- because, when they're idling, the motor noise isn't putt-putt, it's:  tuk tuk tuk tuk.  That's our version, anyway!  And away we went!

In exploring the old city, we stopped first at the Matri Dei Cathedral, first built in 1599 by The Zamorin, King of Calicut, renovated and extended in 1724, with a major restoration completed in 2009.  Above, the group is listening to our Calicut guide (white cap) talk about the cathedral and its beginnings.  Kids in Matri Dei school, in the yellow building behind our group, were having a rip-roaring rally going on and we could barely hear the guide, but it sounded like those kids were having a great time!

 Some people remove their shoes before entering a place of worship.

The ladies in the aisle are beginning to distribute the offering plates. 

I stepped in for a quick photo only.

Moving on .... Across the road from the seashore, we saw this scene.  Unsure exactly what they're doing with the coconuts, but I believe they're removing fiber.  These are really small coconuts.  We saw several "stalls" of this activity going on.  Maybe the fiber is used by fishermen for nets?

We made our way to Miskhal Mosque.  From the plaque:  Nakhuda Miskhal, a renowned trader and shipowner from Yaman built this mosque.  He had lived here in the 14th Century and settled here and had trade dealings with Kozhikode.  Hence built this mosque here.  All of the walls of the mosque except for the ground floor are made of wood.  We didn't go in, but we did get inside the gate.  I liked the look of the gate in front of the mosque for the photo.

In and out of the tuk tuk.  Hi Jimmy!

The little blue back cushion I've been using is on the seat (it helps).

All over India.

Still in the old city, the Tali Temple (Hindu) was next.  Again, we didn't go in (you have to wear temple garments), but our local guide and Anurag explained its founding.  The Temple was also built in the 14th century by The Zamorin, within his palace complex.  The nine tiered fountain beside Jimmy has a special name and represents something, but I can't remember!  It's crowned with the sacred cow, below.  And in the pic below the cow, the lady seen is in the above photo, sitting far left.

She was completely stooped over when she got up,

bearing the weight of her years.

Tuk tuk parade!  Heading for the sea.
All we needed were horns to honk!

Here's Jimmy at another lighthouse!  This one, constructed in 1907, is now defunct. The first lighthouse was constructed in 1847 at a height of 108'. The current tower is 49' and is painted white.  Calicut lighthouse is automated and an LED flasher apparatus is in use.

As we were walking toward the sea, a small group of white-clad children (most of them), led by several women, made their way toward these benches, followed by another group, and another.  They appear to be about four years old.  Today is National Children's Day, and the kids were celebrating!  It happens to be Jawaharlal Nehru's birthday, as well -- the kids are wearing the traditional Nehru cap and the boys are dressed in Nehru jackets!  We derived so much pleasure watching these little ones coming toward us with their white triangle flags on sticks, and then watching their antics as they convened around the tree.  (Notice the red sign on the building?  Wonder what that means?)

Small round bowls of ice cream were handed to each child,

and they sat quietly enjoying their sweet treat.  Sweet to see. 

When Anurag explained about National Children's Day, he added that there were two important birthdays being celebrated today.  Nehru's and ... Jimmy's!  On the count of three, the happy birthday song rang out -- to both of 'em!  Well, mainly Jimmy, I bet.

We came upon this sight -- a canoe at water's edge, surrounded by men, some with bags, taking bags in and/or out of the canoe.  They have a catch of green mussels, a delicious delicacy.

See, the guy pantomimed, as he knifed the shell open.

It's a mussel.  Um, no thanks!

Ah, Frankie and Denise frolicking in the Arabian Sea!  Mind that wave behind you!  Truthfully, Jimmy and I turned our back on the sea (a no-no) to have our mugshot taken and the incoming wave soaked our shoes.  Oops!  No matter, they dried quickly.  The seawater was warm.  Looks like a broken pier behind them.  Pretty danged neat to dip your toes in the Arabian Sea!

Happy Birthday, my love!

A fresh coconut drink, straight from the coconut cart.  I didn't like it at all.  I thought it would be more milky or thicker, but it was  weak and weird tasting.  Jimmy didn't favor it either.  We covered quite a bit of ground in the little tuk tuk, dashing through narrow streets and alleys, glimpsing everyday life for the people of Calicut.  A fun morning.  And then we tuk tuk'ed back to our hotel for one of those gourmet buffets.  After lunch?  A different story.  Back to the hospital for P/T.

* * * * *

Picked up and delivered to Malabar Hospital, via city streets (always fascinating, never dull), we were in for a surprise!  Lead to a room, with balloons, a streamer-festooned ceiling, a red velvet bench to sit on and a rose for each of us.  Happy Birthday!  When the doctor came in, a table was rolled out with a beautifully decorated cake that read:  Happy Birthday Jim -- honest.  Amazing.  Simply amazing.  A small piece was cut and Jimmy was instructed to put it in my mouth, then a piece cut for me to place in Jimmy's mouth, and then Jimmy put a piece in the doctor's mouth, and I gave one to the lady at right in the photo below.  Amid much laughter and clapping of hands.  They sang, too. 

I forgot my phone and didn't carry my camera (can you believe it?), so all the pics are from others' phones.  Nice of them to share.  The party was an endearing gesture, and completely unexpected.  Who knew that they'd remember today was Jimmy's birthday?

 The doctor is at left.

Yummy!

Everyone wished him a happy day.  He was quite touched.

So I had my therapy, while Jimmy chatted with the other ladies (their slow time at P/T), and signed me up with a new facebook friend, Manaal, front left.  We enjoyed meeting all of you!  I hope I can continue back therapy when I get home.

And then, as if one party wasn't enough, after dinner at our hotel, another cake appeared, and we celebrated all over again ... this time with our Road Scholar group and guide, Anurag.  What a special day.  (More phone pics, thank you Anurag)

In rear, left:  Phil and Ann, and Ibby at the table next to Jimmy.

Tomorrow, we change it up again.

A very, very early wake up call (yawn), and breakfast on the TRAIN!