Day 5 – Kochi aka Cochin (Kanyakumari to Leh Cycling)

Kochi
Kochi
Fishing Nets
Fishing Nets

Not a better place I would have found for taking a day off from cycling and exploring the colonial-era architecture in the city of Kochi. Kochi is Kerala’s prime tourist destination spreading accross islands and its land imperiously jutting out between Arabian Sea and the backwaters. Majority of tourists prefer to stay in less congested backstreets around Fort Cochin. In Fort Cochin, dozens of period buildings have been turned over to heritage hotels and homestays in recent years.

I am also staying at someone’s home at Elamakkara and this journalist guy has given me his complete flat for 2 days. The balcony view is awesome as I can see the beautiful North Konkan railway line and gazzilian coconut trees that lines the backwaters and Perandoor canal. Half the fun of visiting Kochi is getting about on the cheap local ferries. Fort Kochi to Fort Vypin is just 10 mins by ferry and one way cost is Rs. 8. Ferries leave every 10 mins from early morning to late night.
The hugh and elegant Chinese fishing nets lining the northern shore of Fort Kochi and Fort Vypin add grace to the front view and are probably the most familiar photographic image of Kerala. Known in Malayalam as cheena vala, the nets are suspended from arched poles and operated by levers and weights requiring at least four men to control them.
Kochi has much to offer to tourists ranging from beautiful scenic beauty to food and it is well connected with rest parts of India having Ernakulam Junction station and with the world as well as it has an international airport as well approx 28 kms from the city. So, you have got no reason to give it a miss.