YetiBlog® - Krash Kourse Kerala!

lloydofcochin · 27th July 2009, 23:27

[quote=BaCkSeAtDrIVeR;1404200]So which of these is the old Aspinwall company?

The building is very much there, Few years back Aspinwall jumped on board the bandwagon of outsourcing and that building was turned in to a Call Centre selling some Swedish medical mag subscriptions, last I heard was that they have exited that business.

There was a brunton boat yard at Vypeen - just at the point where "Fort Cochin" / Cochin corporation ended and "Vypeen" panchayath started. There is a church (the one on the road side itself) at this point. I thought Thad was referring to this boat yard. Thanks for the correction.

The Brunton Boatyard Hotel is next to the Jhankar jetty in Fort Cochin

Beach? Where is it?? <grin>

That's a Sad story. Used to play Football & Volleyball there during school days .

Here is a wee bit of info.

The Cherai beach and Fort Cochin beach are mutually exclusive. One should die for the other to exist.

Not my words, but I found it in Sir Robert Bristow's Autobiography, the "Cochin Saga". The Cochin Port needs to be dredged regularly, and there are two sites where the sludge could be deposited. Place X is closer, but depositing the sludge here meand Fort Cochin beach dies. Place Y is further, and the Fort Cochin beach would survive and thrive if sludge is deposited here. The cochin port trust used place Y till the early 1990s, and changed to point X for reasons of economy.

This is one of the theories and probably the most credible one, anyway Mr. Bristow can't be wrong; after all he is the mastermind behind Willingdon Island.

Literally in deep waters, eh?

Not exactly. It is next to the concrete walkway adjacent to the PWD Rest house

I tried to learn swimming at the Fort Cochin beach. The attempts went on for a few weeks. But my friend simply did not have the knowledge / guts to teach, (but could swim for himself). Learning to swim on a beach hardly 500 M from an approach to the port, is not a very good idea. Had to be satisfied with floating in 2 - 3 feet of water.

Nowadays it is very dangerous to swim out there, there are very strong undercurrents.

Thad E Ginathom · 27th July 2009, 23:51

Bruntons Boatyard Hotel: 9°58'7.53"N 76°14'43.77"E

The much larger complex to the immediate East is Aspinwall.

Google Earth is wonderful

lloydofcochin · 28th July 2009, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Bruntons Boatyard Hotel: 9°58'7.53"N 76°14'43.77"E

The much larger complex to the immediate East is Aspinwall.

Google Earth is wonderful

Thad - Excellent work there

trrk · 28th July 2009, 12:47

Hi Sam,

Missed you this time.

Way back in the early 70s when I did my Pre Degree (todays 11th and 12th) in the only college we had (and have even today), I wore a 'mundu' (there is a single and double, myself have used a double always), on all days of my college.

I used it for the two years that I did my 2 years of BSc in Trivandrum. That habit changed only when I went to medical college in Belgaum, Karnataka. Once when I wore it on my birthday, I think I would not have got more attention had I been naked.

I hardly wear a mundu these days.

The same college hardly sees a mundu clad boy student now!

RajeshK · 28th July 2009, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by lloydofcochin;

What you said about Dolphins is absolutely true, nowadays you can rarely spot them. I still remember my school days when everyday I had to cross the ferry to Vypeen to attend school and the jumping Dolphins were a feast to the eyes.

I remember those big fishes coming close to us while we used to go to Mattanchery from the Custom House (Taj Malabar side - W.Island). We used to go Mattanchery for eating "Kayeekka's Biriyani" in the small boat called "Machua"

deepclutch · 28th July 2009, 15:06

Kerala sarkar unsuccessfully tried a Campaign for Government Employees to wear Mundu for last 1 year.

Samurai · 28th July 2009, 15:13

About 7-8 years back, I was driving through a quiet sub-urban New Jersey road, and I almost lost control of the car as I looked to my side. A handsome looking desi in his late 20s was strolling along the footpath in half-mast Mundu. I wonder how many almost crashes he caused that day.

Thad E Ginathom · 28th July 2009, 15:56

It is the neckline of the Kerala dresses and blouses that would take my attention of driving!

Often somewhat more revealing than those worn by their Tamil sisters <Blush>

MileCruncher · 28th July 2009, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

It is the neckline of the Kerala dresses and blouses that would take my attention of driving!

Often somewhat more revealing than those worn by their Tamil sisters <Blush>

Are you talking about Shakeela

sandeepmdas · 28th July 2009, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepclutch

Kerala sarkar unsuccessfully tried a Campaign for Government Employees to wear Mundu for last 1 year.

and now (since the last week, that is) the Sarkaar is placing full page ads in leading dailies pleading for the same....

Samurai · 28th July 2009, 19:19

I can already imagine Mundu Police walking around government building checking for compliance of Mundu dress code.

Later they might come after private companies too. All IT guys in Mundu. Heck, even clubs may have Mundu dress code. Want to tee off, wear Mundu. Ok, I'll stop now, my imagination is going too wild.

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 28th July 2009, 19:43

@samurai-san, there already is a govt. order "requesting" public to use traditional, handloom clothes. Issued last week. There was afull page ad.

greenhorn · 28th July 2009, 19:49

I'm more than willing to try my hand at wearing a mundu if we could get all the ladies in my co to wear sarees with those blouses Nick was talking about!

If wishes were horses

jkdas · 28th July 2009, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

I'm more than willing to try my hand at wearing a mundu if we could get all the ladies in my co to wear sarees with those blouses Nick was talking about!

If wishes were horses

Join my company

Hope you know why.

Sam! people are hijacking your thread!

sandeepmdas · 28th July 2009, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

If wishes were horses

LOL, maybe you can arrange a TBHP Onam meet where all TBHPians can drive in wearing MCR Mundu.

27th July 2009, 23:27	#91
lloydofcochin BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 437 Thanked: 183 Times	[quote=BaCkSeAtDrIVeR;1404200]So which of these is the old Aspinwall company? The building is very much there, Few years back Aspinwall jumped on board the bandwagon of outsourcing and that building was turned in to a Call Centre selling some Swedish medical mag subscriptions, last I heard was that they have exited that business. There was a brunton boat yard at Vypeen - just at the point where "Fort Cochin" / Cochin corporation ended and "Vypeen" panchayath started. There is a church (the one on the road side itself) at this point. I thought Thad was referring to this boat yard. Thanks for the correction. The Brunton Boatyard Hotel is next to the Jhankar jetty in Fort Cochin Beach? Where is it?? <grin> That's a Sad story. Used to play Football & Volleyball there during school days . Here is a wee bit of info. The Cherai beach and Fort Cochin beach are mutually exclusive. One should die for the other to exist. Not my words, but I found it in Sir Robert Bristow's Autobiography, the "Cochin Saga". The Cochin Port needs to be dredged regularly, and there are two sites where the sludge could be deposited. Place X is closer, but depositing the sludge here meand Fort Cochin beach dies. Place Y is further, and the Fort Cochin beach would survive and thrive if sludge is deposited here. The cochin port trust used place Y till the early 1990s, and changed to point X for reasons of economy. This is one of the theories and probably the most credible one, anyway Mr. Bristow can't be wrong; after all he is the mastermind behind Willingdon Island. Literally in deep waters, eh? Not exactly. It is next to the concrete walkway adjacent to the PWD Rest house I tried to learn swimming at the Fort Cochin beach. The attempts went on for a few weeks. But my friend simply did not have the knowledge / guts to teach, (but could swim for himself). Learning to swim on a beach hardly 500 M from an approach to the port, is not a very good idea. Had to be satisfied with floating in 2 - 3 feet of water. Nowadays it is very dangerous to swim out there, there are very strong undercurrents.
	() Thanks

27th July 2009, 23:51	#92
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,199 Thanked: 28,204 Times	Bruntons Boatyard Hotel: 9°58'7.53"N 76°14'43.77"E The much larger complex to the immediate East is Aspinwall. Google Earth is wonderful Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Thad E Ginathom : 27th July 2009 at 23:55.
	() Thanks

28th July 2009, 12:47	#94
trrk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alleppey, Kerala Posts: 2,114 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	Hi Sam, Missed you this time. Way back in the early 70s when I did my Pre Degree (todays 11th and 12th) in the only college we had (and have even today), I wore a 'mundu' (there is a single and double, myself have used a double always), on all days of my college. I used it for the two years that I did my 2 years of BSc in Trivandrum. That habit changed only when I went to medical college in Belgaum, Karnataka. Once when I wore it on my birthday, I think I would not have got more attention had I been naked. I hardly wear a mundu these days. The same college hardly sees a mundu clad boy student now!
	() Thanks

28th July 2009, 15:06	#96
deepclutch Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Muvattupuzha Posts: 1,167 Thanked: 164 Times	Kerala sarkar unsuccessfully tried a Campaign for Government Employees to wear Mundu for last 1 year.
	() Thanks

28th July 2009, 15:13	#97
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,948 Thanked: 47,226 Times View My Garage	About 7-8 years back, I was driving through a quiet sub-urban New Jersey road, and I almost lost control of the car as I looked to my side. A handsome looking desi in his late 20s was strolling along the footpath in half-mast Mundu. I wonder how many almost crashes he caused that day.
	() Thanks

28th July 2009, 15:56	#98
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,199 Thanked: 28,204 Times	It is the neckline of the Kerala dresses and blouses that would take my attention of driving! Often somewhat more revealing than those worn by their Tamil sisters <Blush>
	() Thanks

28th July 2009, 19:19	#101
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,948 Thanked: 47,226 Times View My Garage	I can already imagine Mundu Police walking around government building checking for compliance of Mundu dress code. Later they might come after private companies too. All IT guys in Mundu. Heck, even clubs may have Mundu dress code. Want to tee off, wear Mundu. Ok, I'll stop now, my imagination is going too wild.
	() Thanks

28th July 2009, 19:43	#102
BaCkSeAtDrIVeR Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 2,541 Thanked: 755 Times	@samurai-san, there already is a govt. order "requesting" public to use traditional, handloom clothes. Issued last week. There was afull page ad.
	() Thanks

28th July 2009, 19:49	#103
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,842 Thanked: 4,752 Times View My Garage	I'm more than willing to try my hand at wearing a mundu if we could get all the ladies in my co to wear sarees with those blouses Nick was talking about! If wishes were horses
	() Thanks