Cochin

About Cochin

The first confusing point is what to call this place. While most tourists are aware of Cochin, and the airport is called that, please note that Cochin is a loose term used to signify a group of places. They consist of: - Fort Kochi (the old colonial period kingsom and the old port) - Willingdon Island (often called Island which is the naval base and present port. It also houses several luxury hotels) - Ernakulam (the main city - the commercial hub of Kerala, the modern residential areas, the shopping, the local restaurants and cheaper hotels, the bus stops and the train stations) - Areas in the north and east - Edappally, Elamakkara, Thrikkakara, Kakkanad, Thripunithara (which houses the last royal palace and one of the major temples)

Cochin is a good landing point for Kerala (South India) - to stop, pause and decide which direction you want to go to and how you want your kerala experience to be.

Tips

To Arrive: If you are arriving by train or bus, ask for tickets to Ernakulam. If you are arriving by flight, ask for Cochin (COK). Remember Cochin airport is actually 30 kilometers away from the city in a place called Nedumbassery(Aluva District). Get a pre-paid taxi (from the Pre Paid Taxi Counter - blue signboard - not to be confused with the pre-paid cab counter in red, and more visible, with people trying to get you there). The address to your place of stay would suffice. Within the City: - Autorickshaws are easily available. Meters are not in use. Fix rates before you get in. Check distances. It should never cost you more than 7 - 10 rupees a kilometer. At night charges would be more. - Buses are easy, if you just ask around for the required routes. the only problem is that the buses themselves show all signs in Malayalm. But they are cheap and comfortable, and people are helpful. - Ferries are the most comfortable option to connect mainland to any of the islands, or to Fort Kochi. They are cheap and pleasurable. There are two boat jetties in Ernakulam. The Main jetty is from where you get ferries to Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and Willingdon Island. The High Court Jetty ferries take you to the other islands like Vypin and Bolgatty.

Language spoken here : Malayalam Try English and not hindi on the road. More people will respond to that.

What to do

Fort Kochi is ofcourse the main attraction. Though horribly touristy, and over priced (and taken over today by Kashmiri and Rajasthani wares), it still retains its quaint old world feel, with old dutch bungalows, and jewish houses lining the streets. Nearby destinations are the St. Francis Church and Santa Cruz Basilica

Mattancherry: the other side of the same land mass is where the old royal palace, the old jewish synagogue and the jew street is. though taken over by antique dealers and Kashmiri merchants, the place provides you with an undeniable atmosphere.

Ernakulam is a bustling modern Indian city, with all its vices and beauty. amidst the chaos and confusion ordinary people live out their daily lives with a quiet zest. The shopping malls have yet to be converted to the regularised, standardised ones found all over India, and retain their local flavour. The Marine Drive walk and the Park Avenue along the water front are thronged with locals in the evening. Many restaurants of various shapes and sizes cater to local food tastes, including very indianised versions of chinese. For the travel weary, Ernakulam has its own lounge bar and Discotheque for the one night of chill pill.

Thripunithara: With its Hill Palace and the Temple, it is the area were the remnants of the Cochin Royal family still live. The area around the temple has sevral royal and noble family houses built in the typical Indo- Dutch style.

Classical Music and Dance:

Kerala has a unique tradition of Classical Music and Dance. The Carnatic music forms the basis of these Classical forms, but there are many variations incorporated into it. Especially the Dance forms, originating from the ancient Koottiyattam form, has very vivid facial expressions, and a lot of emphasis on symbologies of dresses and make up. Many such Classical music and dance programmes can be found almost any day of the week at these venues: 

- Kerala Fine Arts Hall - Durbar Hall Grounds - Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Hall - Changampuzha Park

or any other smaller halls. Most of the time entry is free.

Kalikotta Hall in front of Thripunithara Temple also hosts several Classical music and dance programmes, especially Kathakali. Invitations might be required for the same.

Kalarippayattu