08/02/20 - 09/02/20 : Mangalore

08/02/20 - 09/02/20 : Mangalore:

Our train caught up and tried to make up for 2 hours delay but still we reached Kankanady station late. We took the rickshaw directly to the Kulshekar church but we were late and missed the 7 days mass but was in time for prayers service for my brother in law, Jerome Braggs. At the prayers, all his friends and neighbours gave homily and spoke about Jerry Bauji, being quiet simple and family man and always willing to help others. After the prayer service, there was small tea party and we got to meet all my cousins, relatives and friends and their children. I am meeting them nearly after 6-7 years in Mangalore.

From here, we shifted to my cousin, Benna’s place where immediate family were all gathered around. It was pleasant talking to all of them and exchanging notes and playing with Prasanth’s kids, Ethan and Nicole and Pramila’s sons, Shaun and Sam.

 

After lunch, Willy tooks us to visit all our sick friends. First we met Jerry”s brother Mickey, admitted in hospital to control his sugar, diabetic. It was fun talking to him. He is jovial guy, always joking. 

From here, we moved on to visit my cousin, Flavy and her family. Her husband had stroke a month ago and he was paralysed on his right side and was now at home being treated by physiotherapist. He can sit and talk but cant walk and has to move around in wheel chair. Flavy and son Vivi was helping him to sit and we sat with him. For an active person, he feels so frustrated, not to move his arms and talk. We waited until his daughter Verna returned from college, who is training herself to be Physiotherapist. It was sad and happy moments spending time with the family

              Flavy, Vally & Family                                                     Bulla & Estellebai

We were two days in Mangalore, and spent the days with my niece Pramila and her family, i.e only at night, since we were going around visiting all relations and friends along with Willy my cousin, who took us around in his car. Every time I met her only at her mother's place and promised her I would come to her place and this time I made it. Both Pramila and her husband Roystan took care of us. Poor Sean, he had his exams going on and so he could not participate much, while Same was fun and all the time with us. Royston is a good cook and our meals were yummy, topped with Shiraz Red wine and cosy talks. It was fun.

09/02/20 : Mangalore

We got late and had nice breakfast of eggs and sausage. It was lovely to eat non-veg breakfast after long time. Willy came along and picked us up and we went to visit my cousin Thomas (Bulla) in the ayurvedic hospital, where he was undergoing ayurvedic treatment for sugar control and nice massage for his joint’s treatment. He was enjoying himself with the massage and nice nurses around. He had a nice room for himself, luckily for him cricket matches was going on and he loved watching and discussing about the game.

We were invited by Melvin (Alwin’s brother) and Reema for lunch at their home. Both Reema and Melvin cooked variety of food, including lovely Idlis, pork vindaloo, chicken curry and fish fry, which was cooked very well. We met Alwin’s mother there, who had undergone eye operation. Melroy, their son, took us to their upper where Frankie and Willy went to sleep, while Melroy and self were watching movie on TV. They had a big fish tank with just Red Horn Fish, which was wierd with red big head. When you knocked at the glass, he would come and kiss you. So cute

Red Hot Flower Horn Fish

We left their place as we were supposed to meet Royston and his younger son, Sam. We went and visited their fresh water fish farm. This was started by Royston’s younger brother, in partnership with Royston. It was a learning experience for us. We had Sam with us who was our guide to show us around and inform us It was a first time we visited a fish farm. It was fun to see so many varieties of colourful fishes and to see how the breeding was done. It was awesome.

From here, Willy took us to visit Esthelbai, a lovely aunty of our childhoods, who was staying in our Bendoor bungalow, as a tenant in the outer houses. She is now a widow staying alone. Luckily she has neighbours who are taking care of her. Good we met her and a nice time with her, talking of old days. We heard she expired on 26th April’20 alone at home. We went again to Kulshekar to meet Benabai and her family and had nice time together.

From here, we went to Hampankatta for shopping and brought ladoos, halwa and snacks. We returned home late and tired but had a nice day. 

There Royston and Pramila was waiting for us with lovely meals, we went to sleep so late talking away.

10/02/20 : Mangalore -> Mumbai :

After heavy breakfast, we packed our baggage and ready to return. Pramila and her son left for School. While Royston took us to visit his mother first, who staying nearby and then he took us to the Kankanady station to catch our train back to Mumbai. We had our reservation berth and so our journey back was pleasant. Early next morning we got down at Borivali station and there we took rickshaw directly to our home.