India Tourism » Kochi Travel

KOCHI - KERALA
There are two versions of how Kochi got its name – the popular one being the gradual tongue-twisting from Koch-Azhi (small estuary) to Cochin. The other less known story is the Chinese who came to trade from ‘Cochin China’, now South Vietnam, named the new Cochin harbour ‘Co-Chin’ after their native land. The epithet ‘chin’ is definitely Chinese.

Cochin was ruled by three European powers in succession: the Portuguese (1500-1663), the Dutch (1663-1795) and the British (17951947). This explains the eclectic mix of various cultures and traditions in every lane, especially in the laidback suburb of Fort Kochi.

A much publicised heritage walk takes one through all the famous tourist sites from Koder house, Santa Cruz Basilica, Parade ground, Dutch cemetery, and finally winds its way to St Francis church and Bastion bungalow. The walk is essentially nostalgia, where one tries to recapture history in all its glory. This is mini-England, homely Holland, little Lisbon. and yet quintessentially Indian. It’s history in a capsule.

WHY IT’S A MONSOON DESTINATION
Kochi is very much on the ‘Kerala monsoon tours’ offered by travel agents The season stretches from June to August. Get wet, splash and swim or wade through knee-deep waters, sail paper boats, or try out an Ayurveda vacation during the monsoon. From Kochi, you can take off for Alappuzha. Kumarakoram, Thekkady, Munnar, Guruvayoor and Vythiri.

HOW TO GET THERE
Kochi has a world-class international airport 30 kms from the city, with regular flights to major cities in India. It is also connected to Singapore, Colombo and all major cities in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Jeddah, Muscat, and Riyadh) by direct flights.

There are three main railway stations in Cochin: Ernakulam Junction (main station), Einakutarn Town and Cochin Harbour Terminus. Many important trains start from here.

WHERE TO SHOP
You can go to Spices Street and buy spices. These attracted a multitude of traders from different parts of the world. Pepper and other spices were traded for coffee from Arabia, tapioca from Brazil and tea from England. The Portuguese built huge godowns in Mattancherry, some of which still give modern structures a run for their money. Kochi was the melting pot where East met West. Historically, it was globalisation at work, for the first time in the world, perhaps.

Or you can go to Jew Street, earlier the hub of Jewish traders, now occupied by Kashmiri traders selling clothes, jewellery, trinkets and carpets. It can pass off as mini-Srinagar, with eager Kashmiri shopkeepers popping out of every shop. The antique shops, though, are mostly owned by the locals. Check out The Crafters, popular with tourists.

HERITAGE SITES
1. Fort Kochi, for the relaxed grace of the Europeans
2. Chinese fishing nets on the coast, a spectacular sight
3. Vasco da Gana Square, a narrow promenade along the beach
4. Old Harbour House, now a boutique hotel
5. Santa Cruz Basilica, a 500-year-old church.