“Following St Thomas: Photo / Art Pilgrimage in South India”
10 – 22 November 2010 (12-Days)
Cochin ● Kodungalloor ● Azhikode ● Malayattoor ● Kokkamangalam ● Alleppey ● Backwaters ● Vagamon Hills ● Periyar ● Munnar ● Cochin ●
This journey takes us to places that touch time beyond time. In that spaciousness my heart grows wider, my imagination frees, my breath catches, and I am held in awe and wonder. Photography, as with drawing and painting, is about the choices I make in the visual framing of elements: what to include, what to exclude, and whether to zoom in or withdraw. This is a practice of visual discernment: a way of choosing what needs to be retained and what needs to be surrendered.
Assisting us in our spiritual quest, will be that which came with St Thomas in 52 AD – the Gospel. The Apostle doubtless encountered the spiritual riches of India then, and so, we shall explore selected readings from the Upanishads, the Baghavad Gita, the South Indian mystic poets and the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas.
Journey with us through misty mountain-tops, tea-tree clad hillsides, and wooded valleys; glide up serene backwaters in a houseboat; contemplate the diversity of village and spiritual India – on the coast and plains, and through hill stations of South India. Your companion guides will be two published authors: Meath Conlan PhD (from Perth) and Jim Nicholls (from New York) – both artists of the soul and spiritual directors, with decades of professional experience to encourage you throughout a unique and inspiring journey.
Day One: Nov 10, 2010 ( WEDNESDAY )
Clients to be met at Cochin Airport by TBi staff, and taken to accommodation as arranged. Transfer to Hotel Fort Heritage (1 night) in Fort Cochin. Rest.
Evening witness Kathakali performance in local theatre.
Familiarisation conference with Meath Conlan PhD and Jim Nicholls: (1) History and culture of the local “Thomas Christians”, (2) Art & Photography as a way of spiritual seeing. Helpful reference to Jim Nicholls’ website: www.nichollsphotography.com
Notes: Bus arranged for most of the journey from now on. Also, we have the services of a professional Guide, specifically for the “Steps of St Thomas” Tour.
En route throughout the journey, we will work our way through select readings from the Gospel where Thomas is mentioned; the apocryphal ‘Gospel of Thomas’; the Upanishads, and Baghavad Gita.
OVERNIGHT AT “HOTEL FORT HERITAGE”
Room reserved at hotel from 1200 Hrs.
MEALS PROVIDED: LUNCH, DINNER
Day Two: Nov 11, 2010 ( THURSDAY )
Easy rise. Morning walk through the old quarters of Cochin. You will visit St. Francis Church, built in the year 1503, by the Portuguese traders. Continue walking past Loafer’s Corner / Princess Street, the imposing Santacruz Basilica, the Parade Ground, the famous Chinese Fishing nets and the picturesque Dutch cemetery. You will pass by some colonial private homes with Indo-European architecture. Very easy walk.
Later proceed to the town of Kodungalloor: gateway to three religions in India – Christianity, Judaism & Islam. St. Thomas landed in Kerala in 52 A.D. Overnight at the Bluewaters Resort (3 nights) at Cherai on the Arabian Sea (about 18 kms from Kodungaloor) www.bluewaterscherai.in
Daily Inter-faith Readings: from Gospel of Thomas, The Gospels, Upanishads, Baghavad Gita with, for those interested, Meditation in the tradition of Centering Prayer. Spiritual Direction available throughout this retreat-journey.
OVERNIGHT AT HOTEL BLUE WATER IN CHERRAI
MEALS PROVIDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
Day Three: Nov 12, 2010 ( FRIDAY )
After breakfast visit the Mar Thoma Pontifical Shrine at Azhikode on the beautiful banks of the river Periyar. This shrine houses a relic – the bone of the right arm of St. Thomas. Overnight at the Bluewaters Resort
OVERNIGHT AT HOTEL BLUE WATER IN CHERRAI
MEALS PROVIDED: BREAKFAST, DINNER
Day Four: Nov 13, 2010 ( SATURDAY )
After breakfast proceed to St. Thomas Mount at Malayattoor visited in 52 AD by St. Thomas, who came here from Kodungalloor. Overnight at the Bluewaters Resort
OVERNIGHT AT HOTEL BLUE WATER IN CHERRAI
MEALS PROVIDED: BREAKFAST, DINNER
Day Five: Nov 14, 2010 ( SUNDAY )
After breakfast proceed to St.Thomas Church at Kokkamangalam - a village where St Thomas preached the gospel for about a year. Afternoon visit St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church at Niranam.
OVERNIGHT AT PUNNAMADA RESORT, ALLEPPEY
MEALS PROVIDED: BREAKFAST, DINNER
Day Six: Nov 15, 2010 ( MONDAY )
From Alleppey our Houseboat will pick up at noon. The rest of the day is for cruising through the Backwater Canals. Meals are provided on board
Oernight on board the Houseboat
MEALS PROVIDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
Day Seven: Nov 16, 2010 ( TUESDAY )
After breakfast on board you will arrive at Maria’s Heritage Villa. This is a good spot for walks in the villages and to watch the backwater life go by.
Overnight at the beautiful and comfortable Maria’s Heritage Villa, near Alleppey
MEALS PROVIDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
Day Eight & Day Nine: Nov 17/18, 2010 ( WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY )
Early Morning drive to Bharanganam via Pala. Visit Tomb of Saint Alphonsa. Alphonsa. Saint Saint Alphonsa is the first woman saint from India. She lived and died in Bharananganam. The mortal remains of Saint Alphonsa are kept in a chapel next to St. Mary’s Church, Palai. Later proceed to Vagamon with a visit the Kurisumala Ashram, a Cistercian monastery, co-founded by Dom Bede Griffiths. We will join the fraternity for a simple, wholesome lunch.
Later in the afternoon drive 2hrs to Periyar
In Periyar there are various options, bathing / feeding elephants, Spice Plantation visit, boat ride on Lake Periyar, half or full day treks.
Overnight at the Periyar – Cardamon County Hotel Stay in Periyar 2 nights
MEALS PROVIDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
Day Ten & Day Eleven: Nov 19/20, 2010 ( FRIDAY and SATURDAY )
Morning drive 4hrs to Munnar (a magnificent area of sun-drenched, green-clad mountains and valleys – the stunning backdrop of Indian Director Santosh Sivan’s wonderful and evocative recent feature film, “Before the Rains”)
Afternoon free: landscape photography and sketching opportunities abound.
Overnight at Munnar – Hotel Mountain Trail Stay in Munnar
MEALS PROVIDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
Day Twelve: Closure & Farewells Nov 21, 2010 ( SUNDAY )
Free time in the morning and afternoon drive 4hrs to Cochin , on arrival transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Cochin at Ramada Hotel (last night)
MEALS PROVIDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
Day Thirteen: Nov 22, 2010 ( MONDAY )
Breakfast at hotel.
Room reserved till 1200 Hrs. Individual car transfer from Hotel to airport to connect for your onward Domestic / International Flight.
MEAL PROVIDED: BREAKFAST
________________________________________________________________
COST – at 6 August 2010
AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS.
Based on Double/Sharing Twin
5 – 8 Pax: AUD $2,599. 00 PP ( Using Air conditioned Tempo Traveler )
Single Room Supp. AUD $741.00 Net
US DOLLARS.
Based on Double/Sharing Twin
5 – 8 Pax: USD $2,385.00 PP ( Using Air conditioned Tempo Traveler )
Single Room Supp. USD $705.00 Net
Cost Includes:-
-Total 12 Night’s Hotel accommodation as per itinerary.
-Accommodation in a Twin / Dbl room (Base category room) Breakfast daily.
Additional Meals.
Nov 10: Lunch and Dinner
Nov 11: Lunch and Dinner
Nov 12: Dinner
Nov 13: Dinner
Nov 14: Dinner
Nov 15: Lunch and Dinner
Nov 16: Lunch and Dinner
Nov 17: Lunch and Dinner
Nov 18: Lunch and Dinner
Nov 19: Lunch and Dinner
Nov 20: Lunch and Dinner
Nov 21: Lunch and Dinner
-Transfers, sightseeing/excursions as per the programme based on AC Vehicle
Tempo Traveler – Seating Capacity ( 8 Guests + Driver )
- Services of Local English speaking guide in Cochin city, Periyar and Munnar )
- Entrance fees in Cochin, Kathak Dance performance in Kochi
- Elephant package in Periyar ( 2 hour duration ) which includes, Elephant ride &
Bathing, Feeding of the Elephants, etc..
- Applicable Government Service Tax.
Note: Supplement for Individual car transfer from Ramada Hotel to Cochin airport: Using AC Innova car
USD 44.00 Net one way transfer.
AUD 48.00 Net one way transfer.