Kochi
Kochi was once notorious for its raucous cabarets but the moral police has since put paid to all that. For another the place’s unique geography – a mix of island small peninsulas backwaters and a natural harbour – lends it a charm unmatched by any other city in India.
The successive influences of the Portuguese the Dutch and the British have coated Kochi in a shroud of cultural influences that add to the unique ambience best exemplified by the fascinating samples of Indo-European architecture that dot the older parts of the city.
Unsurprisingly, Kochi is Kerala’s most cosmopolitan city boasting an eclectic mixture of Malayalies Jews, Muslims. Christians all engaged in some form of commerce or trade, which also explains why Kochi is Kerala’s most industrially developed city. So hoary is Kochi’s tradition as a centre for seafaring commerce that Nicolai Conti an Italian traveller of the Middle Ages, is reported to have declared “ if china is where you make your money then Cochin surely is the place to spend it”
The successive influences of the Portuguese the Dutch and the British have coated Kochi in a shroud of cultural influences that add to the unique ambience best exemplified by the fascinating samples of Indo-European architecture that dot the older parts of the city.
Unsurprisingly, Kochi is Kerala’s most cosmopolitan city boasting an eclectic mixture of Malayalies Jews, Muslims. Christians all engaged in some form of commerce or trade, which also explains why Kochi is Kerala’s most industrially developed city. So hoary is Kochi’s tradition as a centre for seafaring commerce that Nicolai Conti an Italian traveller of the Middle Ages, is reported to have declared “ if china is where you make your money then Cochin surely is the place to spend it”
Bolt Bolghatty Island
Bolghatty Island is the site of the Bolghatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 and later taken over by the British. A small patch of green accessible by ferry from the jetty near the High Court at the northern end of Marine Drive the island is now the site of Kerala Tourism’s Bolghatta Palace Hotel. The island also has a mini-golf course.
Explore Fort Kochi
This is the best part of Kochi, once an abscure little fishing village that become the first European township in India. And now home to some interesting history as well as the arresting sight of the sun setting into the Arabian Sea behind the mesh of Chinese nets. Kerala tourism has brought out a useful walking tour map and guide of Fort Kochi, which you can get from the Kerala Tourism office or from the private tourist Desk ( Phone No : 0484 – 2371761 ) at the dockside ticket office of the main boat jetty at Ernakulam.
Chinese Fishing Nets
These large contilevered fishing nets made of teak and bamboo with lights to attract fish as they are lowered into the water. Owe their origin to travelers from the court of Kubla Khan who arrived on the Malabar coast between 1350 and 1450 AD. Today if you go to the Vasco Da Gama Square a narrow promenade on the beach at the fort Kochi you can see then at close quarters.
Loaf on Princess Street
Princess Street was perhaps the earliest to be built in Fort Kochi and is lined with European – style buildings. The best view of the street can be got from Loafers’ corner the popular handout for the locals known more for their laidback all’s – well with – the – world attitude towards life.
Where to stay and eat
Bolghatty Palace Hotel.
Phone No : 0484 – 2750003.
Tariff : Rs 1600 – 7000.
The Trident
Phone No : 0484 – 2669595
Tariff : Rs – 2600 – 3700
Loaf on Princess Street
Princess Street was perhaps the earliest to be built in Fort Kochi and is lined with European – style buildings. The best view of the street can be got from Loafers’ corner the popular handout for the locals known more for their laidback all’s – well with – the – world attitude towards life.
Where to stay and eat
Bolghatty Palace Hotel.
Phone No : 0484 – 2750003.
Tariff : Rs 1600 – 7000.
The Trident
Phone No : 0484 – 2669595
Tariff : Rs – 2600 – 3700
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