Another fairly laid back day here in Kochi. It is Sunday and given a large percentage of locals are Christians we were not the only ones taking it easy.

We had breakfast in the Homestay and had a long, interesting and far-ranging chat with the Owner. Judging by the sign out front his name is Shoba Varghese but he introduced himself as Thomas (Saint Thomas is said to have visited Cochin so Thomas may be a more common name here that you may first think). He is a very smart man and has a broad range of interests - it's good to really talk to people rather than just avoid Auto Rickshaw drivers and say "No thanks" all the time.

Although we had already visited it with Ian & Carol we went back to the St. Francis Church today and took a couple of photo's - we didn't have the camera with us first time 'round.

Photo's inside are not allowed (plus there was a service in progress whilst we were there today) so our only pix show the outside.

This is said to be the oldest European-built church in India, having been constructed in 1503 by Franciscan friars (say that fast 10 times) from Portugal. Vasco da Gama the sailor-man died in Cochin in 1542 and although his tombstone is in the church (we couldn't find it with the service in play) his remains were apparently moved back to Lisbon 14 years later.

The highlight of the day was a return visit to the Kerala Kathakali Centre for an hour of North Indian Classical music. This involved two fairly young blokes playing Sitar and Tablas and they were very good indeed. No still photo's sorry but I do have a fair bit of video - we have some pretty good video of the previous Kathakali performance too.

They played two Ragas and although only a small audience was in evidence I think it fair to say everyone there thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I can only imagine the amount of dedication and practice required to learn to play this music.

'night.