Ship's Log
(WOW
- is this early tonite
.reason being "bramhamuhurtham" is approaching fast for our VBV.
I trust that everyone has had an enjoyable Sunday and have spent time with loved ones, friends and "good folk" as always. It's been another day where the crew came onboard with much music and chat.
Today, in our Vegemites World it is New Year. A very special time in Kerala and for our "little one" and her family so we wish her and hers a Very Happy Malayalam New Year. This is our first New Year on board so.....
I'm kinda reaching for the stars a bit here - but hope this is the right information on what may be taking place in our Vegemite's world today.
Vishu Traditions and Customs
Vishukani or Kani Kanal is the most popular tradition followed by people of Kerela. As per the popular belief, year's prosperity depends upon the type of the first object viewed in the morning.
There is a list which tells about various auspicious items to be seen on Vishu morning. Ladies keep all the prescribed items ready a night before the Vishu. A Cadian leaf book, gold ornaments, a new white cloth, raw rice, yellow cucumber, betel leaves, flowers of the Konna tree, halved jack fruits, holy grantha and coconut are kept in a bell metal vessel called 'uruli'.
"Konna"
Behind the vessel is kept a bell metal mirror and a Lord Krishna deity. Two lighted oil lamp called Nilavilakku is also placed alongside. Then, Precisely at bramhamuhurtham - the auspicious hour just before sunrise, members of the family are brought to this assemblage blindfolded. There is a belief that to catch a glimpse of the reflection of these signs of prosperity in the mirror at the crack of dawn, would bring prosperity to the individual. The head of the family is the first person to see the holy things. Special care is taken that family members do not see any other thing except Vishukani. Later, Vishukani is offered to God and distributed amongst poor. Children and other young members of the family get a small gift on this day and this tradition of gift-giving is called Vishu Kaineetam.
Vishu Celebrations
Once the custom of Vishukani gets over, people take a dip in the holy water or take bath at their home and visit nearby temples to offer prayers. To celebrate the festival of Pooram Vishu, people of Kerela wear Kodi Vastram. These are new clothes specially worn on auspicious occasions. People of Kerela multiply Vishu celebrations by traditional singing and dancing. They also burst Patassu (firecrackers). 
Evening time is for lavish meals. Women prepare sadya (feast). These are special dishes prepared using jackfriuts, mangoes, pumpkins and gourds. To mark Vishu, traditionally people prepare Moru Kutan - a savoury stew made with yoghurt, Payassam (Kheer), Veppampoorasam (a bitter preparation of neem) and Mampazhapachadi (a sour mango soup). Malayalam feast is an equal proportion of all tastes.
Great amount of excitement can also be seen in the villages of Kerela. Men and women dress up like Chozhi by wearing a skirt of dried banana leaves and masks on their faces. They entertain people by various traditional dances and dramas. These entertainers would move house to house collecting money to be spent in Vishuwela which is a New Year Fair in Kerela. .
Vishukaineettam
The highlight of the Vishu festival is Vishu Kaineettam. The oldest member of the family gives kaineettam to all those younger to him. The other elders in the family follow the same. Kaineettam has to be given to everyone coming to the house that day.
Vishu Sadhya
Crackers are what add zing to the Vishu celebrations. But what good is a festival without a lavish feast? Sadhya (Feast). The sadhya comprises of rice made of newly-harvested grain, dishes such as erisseri, olan, aviyal, kaalan, thoran, puli inji, pacchadi, and payasams such as paalada and ada pradhaman.
Dear Little Vegemite, Hubby & Family
Happy Malayalam New Year
With Love from
"The Crew"
XXXX
So here's a drink for you and yours
Orange Juice, Lemonade and Frozen Water Melon Cubes!
To go with one of your traditional desserts, a sweet lentil pudding - parippu pradhaman.
x 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chin-Ups go to
FQ - Ship's are better than yachts. Keep wearing the heels for me babe.
TTHshoulder-hurt
BidRed and his poorly back
Stormy & Alex - keep leading the cheers (Alex - hope house clean!!!!)
WW-WOM - keep going hun, we're here.
Dixie-boys - keep playing the game - you are stars.
Wishing everyone a great week in front of them wherever and whatever you are doing. Take care, be safe, be happy.
Watch commencing!
Crew - you are the best
so, COME BACK SOON! 
