Happy orchids from home garden.
The traditional Christian dress of Kerala Christians.
They were friendly and let me take their picture happily. Bless them in your heart, who all who see this picture. Thank you.
It runs with the wind, but my picture couldn't capture the rotating motion...:(( I should have, the thought came late..very very late.
Eye catchers on the way side..far behind is the Cranes at the work site of Vallarpadam Container Terminal.
The ever growing weeding in the south jetty of the church. "Kadavu". Time of the year for the weeds.
The Cruze on top of the church up close, I have to try this again on more clearer day, need to get it more clearer and more crisp..
Ever since I can remember that tree in front of the church was right there. May be from the time of Meenakshi Amma.... I should give the tree more camera time.. I guess it looks wonderful against the blue clear tropical sky.
The curator Roy, all smiles after the blessing of the boat. Behind him is the old fashioned toilet of the folks who come by boat. He is the one who tells me about the church , its history and the miracles that happen every week through the intercession of our Mother.
The guys in the boat were curious to see a guy with a camera on the occasion of the blessing of their boat. The young man in the red T-shirt was really excited, I wanted to give them a print of the occasion, but they just disappeared after the event. Or should I say, I didnt go back looking for them to the jetty..:((
Quite unexpectedly came across the blessing of this fishing boat. The boats come on the south "kadavu" of the church, which is a bit of a walk from the church.
"Potti curry and Appam was the special delight from the food stall. For 20 bucks it was a treat, indeed!
The young priest of the church checking out a stall.
Another competition, probably they have to throw a ball at the steel glasses.
"Cuppela" in the morning light.
Pineapple in a stall.
Another, Bulls Eye!! Look how happy the kids are..:):)
The Sunday was the mission feast, more or less a parish get together. See how the young ones celebrate the occasion. Here some kids are getting ready for some popular competition where anyone who tries can win a prize.
The stairs of the church, which leads to the balcony on top. See, how blue is the blue of the window!
Another shot of the sunlight beautifully falling on the altar through the round ventilation from the east.
The old yellow Portuguese yellow glass on the window gleams in the morning sunlight.
There are two oil lamps on either side of the altar which exudes an old world charm and burns continuously throughout the day. Thanks to the young curator Roy who makes sure the lamp never runs out of oil.
Old stone vessel on the wall which holds the holy water.
Likeness of the Mother against the light from the window. Here the mother is depicted as the queen of the world with crown and all as in the revelations of John, but I like her the way she lived in the world, which made her the queen of the world, simple and close to God.
After the mass when the church cleared, folks from far, stayed back for those minutes of solace, when they offered their heart unto Lord. I love the way sunlight fall through the window on to the church floor. It makes me feel the way I feel on christmas, happy and sad at the same time, sad 'cos we know the day has to pass. As the sun move, light fades and it makes me strangely aware of the passing time...
The morning mass was serene as always, I stayed by the front door right in view of the main altar, it was a peaceful experience as always.
Usually folks do not wear shoes inside..the old flooring is always cool and neat. The church folks always keep it clean.
Church around 7am in the morning mist. Not a nice frame, the slope is in the frame not of the church ofcourse..:)
The morning of Sunday of 17th October was cool and pleasant. I wanted to reach the church earlier than 7 o clock, but with two buses and less frequency on a holiday morning, I was past seven. These big wheels of cable were parked on the side of the road to the church from Vypeen road, I stood by them enjoying the morning and the coolness before framing it.
A house decorated with xmas lights....
An yellow chirstmas bloom on the gates of Vallarpadam.
Two generations walking in the rosary park.
How this was tied on the stays of the flag post, I do not know. It added some color to the Christmas morning.
The new sub-station, that is coming up near the church.
The slabs for the rail road stalked among the grass on the way to church. Probably for the Vallarpadam container terminal rail.
The big grass on the way side, they were dancing beautifully in the christmas morning breeze.
The baked bricks, folks hardly use these kind of bricks these days, strong and sturdy they are old war horses indeed. Nostalgic too.
Grass blooms by the road, I found them very pleasant on my christmas morning trip.
A whole bunch of this beautiful wild flowers were hiding behind the giant cable wheel parked by the side of the road. I came across them accidentally.
I was so surprised... beautiful xmas blooms.
X'mas cake. God bless all those who shared their fortunes with others during these Xmas season. Humble are those who accepted those gifts with gratitude.
Home made delicacies.
The flag post at Vallarapadam, So far I havent got a shot better than this.
Meenkashi Restaurant took a day off on X'mas.
The new church pier which is coming up. They have built it so tall, we can see these towers from any side of kochi.
Not much crowded today, folks were sleeping in after the late night at the church.
The lone star at the top of the church.
I could not make it to Vallarpadam for the christmas eve celebration. It was very beautiful indeed with lights and carols.
A beautiful crib outside the church. It might have been wonderful with decorative lights.
Infant Jesus at the crib. A lady kissing the baby Jesus.
7AM mass on christmas morning. Most of the parishoners came for the night mass. Only a few like me was there for the morning service.
Church looked beautiful in the morning light, the previous night it was brimming with folks who have gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
The morning of chirstmas day. It was cool and mysty.
The picture of His grace Dr. Daniel AcharuParambil still adorns the street.
A man at work on Christmas day morning.
A peep view of the grass fields dancing in the morning sunlight.
Mackrel and Sardines are a plenty catch here in this side of the Arabian sea. I dont think any Kochinier can resist the delicious frying smell of sardine and mackrel. Oh! its so mouth watering.
Most folks around Vallarpadam are sea-faring. Here is a picture of a boat named after Mary. These days, boat rides on Vembanad lake where the Vallarpadam island is, is a great tourist attraction.
Christmas is just round the corner. Everyone is busy shoping, buying gifts, sending cards.. but some how I miss the color.....:):):)
Our Lady of Hope, Vypeen is another famous church in Kochi, though not as old as the 'Our lady of Ransom, Church at Vallarpadam, it is also a few hundred years old.
Joseph Rosa on his blog has related the church beautifully, You can read more about our lady of hope from there and see some touching pictures of Kochi from another proud Kochinier.
Farewell father, we will remember you and always thank Jesus for your humility and love.
Happy orchids from home garden.
The traditional Christian dress of Kerala Christians. 
They were friendly and let me take their picture happily. Bless them in your heart, who all who see this picture. Thank you.
It runs with the wind, but my picture couldn't capture the rotating motion...:(( I should have, the thought came late..very very late.
Eye catchers on the way side..far behind is the Cranes at the work site of Vallarpadam Container Terminal.
The ever growing weeding in the south jetty of the church. "Kadavu". Time of the year for the weeds.
The Cruze on top of the church up close, I have to try this again on more clearer day, need to get it more clearer and more crisp..
Ever since I can remember that tree in front of the church was right there. May be from the time of Meenakshi Amma.... I should give the tree more camera time.. I guess it looks wonderful against the blue clear tropical sky.
The curator Roy, all smiles after the blessing of the boat. Behind him is the old fashioned toilet of the folks who come by boat. He is the one who tells me about the church , its history and the miracles that happen every week through the intercession of our Mother. 
The guys in the boat were curious to see a guy with a camera on the occasion of the blessing of their boat. The young man in the red T-shirt was really excited, I wanted to give them a print of the occasion, but they just disappeared after the event. Or should I say, I didnt go back looking for them to the jetty..:((
Quite unexpectedly came across the blessing of this fishing boat. The boats come on the south "kadavu" of the church, which is a bit of a walk from the church.
"Potti curry and Appam was the special delight from the food stall. For 20 bucks it was a treat, indeed!
The young priest of the church checking out a stall.
Another competition, probably they have to throw a ball at the steel glasses.
"Cuppela" in the morning light.
Pineapple in a stall.
Another, Bulls Eye!! Look how happy the kids are..:):)
The Sunday was the mission feast, more or less a parish get together. See how the young ones celebrate the occasion. Here some kids are getting ready for some popular competition where anyone who tries can win a prize.
The stairs of the church, which leads to the balcony on top. See, how blue is the blue of the window!
Another shot of the sunlight beautifully falling on the altar through the round ventilation from the east.
The old yellow Portuguese yellow glass on the window gleams in the morning sunlight.
There are two oil lamps on either side of the altar which exudes an old world charm and burns continuously throughout the day. Thanks to the young curator Roy who makes sure the lamp never runs out of oil.
Old stone vessel on the wall which holds the holy water.
Likeness of the Mother against the light from the window. Here the mother is depicted as the queen of the world with crown and all as in the revelations of John, but I like her the way she lived in the world, which made her the queen of the world, simple and close to God.
After the mass when the church cleared, folks from far, stayed back for those minutes of solace, when they offered their heart unto Lord. I love the way sunlight fall through the window on to the church floor. It makes me feel the way I feel on christmas, happy and sad at the same time, sad 'cos we know the day has to pass. As the sun move, light fades and it makes me strangely aware of the passing time...
The morning mass was serene as always, I stayed by the front door right in view of the main altar, it was a peaceful experience as always.
Usually folks do not wear shoes inside..the old flooring is always cool and neat. The church folks always keep it clean.
Church around 7am in the morning mist. Not a nice frame, the slope is in the frame not of the church ofcourse..:)
The morning of Sunday of 17th October was cool and pleasant. I wanted to reach the church earlier than 7 o clock, but with two buses and less frequency on a holiday morning, I was past seven. These big wheels of cable were parked on the side of the road to the church from Vypeen road, I stood by them enjoying the morning and the coolness before framing it.
