VACATION IN INDIA :COCHIN KERALA (Travel India).

Cochin is a beautiful international hub. It is a very costly city(real estate prices soaring high) and attracts tourist through out the year.I am writing this page to share my experience with everyone and benefit all those who want to travel India to visit Cochin and other parts of kerala-The Gods own Country.

First let me tell you a bit about the city Cochin- Kerala India.

Area: 87,341 sq.kms. It Comprises of Mainland Ernakulam,Old Cochin including Mattencherry,Fort Cochin, Palluruthy and Thoppumpady;Willindon Island,Suburb of Edapally and the exurbia of Kalamassery,Trikkakara and Kakkanad to the northeast, and Tripunithura to the south east.

Population: about 16.6Lakhs approx.

Language: Malayalam.English is widely used in the business and tourist circles.

Season :Throughout the year. August to December is the best time.

Water: Drink only boiled and bottled water.

Places to visit:

Chinese Fishing Nets,Fort Cochin: These are fixed,cantilevered fishing nets.They are at the entrance of the harbour and along the Kerala back waters.These fishing nets were introduced by the traders from the court of Kublai Khan.As per the records they were first erected between AD1350 and 1450. The Vasco da Gama square ,a narrow promenade that lies parallel to the beach is the best place to watch these nets.The nets are still operated by the fishermen there. One can can get a glance of this in the evening when the fishing nets are submerged in the sea.

Dutch Cemetry Fort Cochin:- This is open only to group Tourists/visitors.The cemetry Consecrated in 1724, is an reminder of the europeans who came down all the way to play out there roles in colonial 17th,18th and the 19th century.

Fort Cochin Beach: Its near the chinese fishing nets.Its a cool place to stroll in the evening.You can purchase fish from the vendors at the beach and can get it cooked as per your instructions at very resonable rates then and there. Here your bargaining skills come handy.

Duch palace Mattancherry: This palace was built by the potuguese and gifted to the Cochin Raja(king) Veera Kerala Varma in 1555.The name Dutch palace was acquired after 1663 when the ducth carried out the renovation and extensive repairs of the same.The coronation ceremonies of the Cochin rajas were held in the central hal of this quadrangular historical palace. 17th century murals in the adjacent rooms is a breath taking view.Murals are so detile that one can actually see the designs of the jewellery.The murals depict scenes from the great indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Jewish Synagogue,Mattencherry: This is the oldest synagogue in commonwealth.Its a Heritage Structure. It was built in 1568.The Great scrolls of old testament,copper plates on which the grants of privilege made by the cochin rulers were recorded,gold and silver crowns gifted by various patrons to the synagogue,exquisite chinese hand painted willow patterned floor tiles and the synagogue's elaborate lighting are of interest.

Bolgatty Island: This island is visible from GDCA complex marine drive.It is a long narrow palm-fringed Island where the Bolgatty palace is situated.It has lush green lawns.It was built by the Dutch in 1774.In 1976 the palace was converted into a restaurant under Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Cochin INDIA.One is not allowed to enter the palace unless one is a guest at the restaurant.Visitors are allowed to see the lush green lawns on the cochin golf club course in the palace grounds for an entrance fee of Rs.10/- .A coupon is issued along the entry ticket which can be exchanged for snacks inside.

Vypin Island (light house ,Pallipuram Fort ): There is a light house at Ochanthuruth in vypin.It is open from 3pm to 5 pm on all days.Pallipuram Fort is situated at the far end of Vypin island.Small and hexagonal, it was built in 1503,claiming to be the oldest European fort in India.The structured walls have around 20 cannon emplacements.Open on Thursdays.Vipin has also a beach and chinese fishing nets.Its good for a stroll.

How to travel safely,economically to above places?

There are private boat tours from GDCA complex marine drive they charge around Rs.150,600 or 2000 per head. I went through these boat tours they just take us around the places and rush back to the GDCA complex to take back boat full of next passengers. Its their lively hood.I have no complaints about that.BUT..................If u wanna enjoy your travel to india especially Cochin the you should go by the Kerala Govt boats. One can board these ferries from Govt Boat Jetty. The ferries are scheduled ever 15mins. And the charge per head is .......................you wont believe this ...........its just Rs.3/- per head. One can take these ferries to Mattanchery, fort cochin,Vypin island. From Vypin you have a shuttle ferry evey five mins to fort cochin.Enjoy your time at the islands and come back at your own wish.No tour operators to dictate you. Once you get down at fort Cochin the chinese Fishing nets are easy to locate.(They are visible from the boat).If one has time get down at each and every island the ferry halts ( wellingdon baggage island). One will surely enjoy it. When one gets down at Mattencherry the Dutch palace is just opposite the boat jetty.Synagogue is 5 mins walk from the Dutch palace.

To visit Bolgatty palace/island Pvt tour boats cost you Rs.150- 400/- .Govt Ferries are available aswell. For Kerala Govt ferries board the ferry from high court Junction, (ps: the pvt boat jetty and govt boat jetty for bolgatty are just 50mts apart at the high court junction ask for govt boat jetty),they charge you Rs.3/-. The ferry is available every 15 mins.It takes only 5 -8 mins to Bolgatty palace.

Explore on your own instead of taking the pvt tours its easy and very safe any way its upto you to decide.

Food: Better carry your food if you are a vegetarian or hygiene concerned.I had food at the kamats (small shanty like dhaba) I really wonder how can one invent such ugly, tasteless,awful @# food. God I tasted it! I tried my best to cook the same way as the kamats but it always turned out to be good.Kamats are yuck!There are no orther restaurants in Mattenchery except a few stalls.

For Non-veg come to Fort Cochin.Choose your fish and get it cooked as per your taste.Its yummy!

Transport in Cochin Kerala India: Instead of hiring cars or pvt vehicles to travel Cochin(India) take the pvt buses they are very cheap and frequency is fabulous.One cannot get such type of good transport services (boats as well as buses) in Mumbai.The city is well planned and well maintained.

PS: Cochin has tourist from all over the world so be careful while visiting public places wash your hands before eating, cover your nose while coughing and sneezing to avoid Swine flu.

Swine flu case were detected very less in number in Kerala Compared to other parts of India.

In my next hub i am going to share about my experience in the main land ernakulam(Cochin)