The coastal city of Kochi has attracted explorers and traders over hundreds of years. With lush green surroundings, rich culture, mouth watering dishes, reminiscent of historical influence and last but not the least, with good air and sea connectivity, it’s no wonder Kochi, appeals to the wanderlust of travelers of all sizes and shapes.Chinese Fishing Nets at Fort Kochi Pic: Bindaas ThankamAs you descend at the Kochi International airport, from the flight, a verdant landscape awaits that is soothing to the vision. The cosmopolitan city of Kochi, which is 35km away, is a melting pot of various ethnic identities. Besides the local Malayalees, there are Jews, Gujaratis, Konkanis and Jains in huge numbers, who have made Kochi their home. If destiny brings you to this beautiful city; here are the 7 must do’s for you.Explore on footMattancherry Pic: Bindaas ThankamSaunter your way into Fort Kochi via Mattancherry and Jew Street. On the streets of Mattancherry you will get a peek into the spice trading that used to happened very many years ago. One can still spot the pushcarts used for trading on these narrow streets of Mattancherry. Do visit the Mattancherry Palace also called the Dutch Palace. Interestingly, the Dutch palace was only renovated by the Dutch, otherwise it was built by the Portuguese. Pick your choice of spices at Mattancherry, as you walk towards the Jew Street. The oldest and active synagogue in the commonwealth nation’s is located in the Jew Street. Its run by the last Jew family left in the city. The street is dotted with an array of shops offering trinkets and souvenirs. From there, if you walk for 2km, you will know you are in Fort Kochi, when you see the huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets on the foreground to the vast ocean. Take a walk around the fish market along the sea in Fort Kochi area. Help the fisherman pull the Chinese fishing nets to catch fish for the day! There are many cafes and restaurants in the Fort Kochi area offering a wide range of cuisine to suit diverse palates. Other places of interest in Fort Kochi : St. Francis church (where Vasco de Gama was buried); Maritime museum, Dutch cemetery, Santa Cruz CathedralCruise on backwatersPic: Bindaas ThankamBook yourself on a conducted tour of a full day backwater canal cruise. Priced at INR 850 per person, you can book this trip at the DTPC centre at Marine Drive, for exploring flora and fauna from the backwaters, is a bargain, no doubt! Exploring the village through a Kettuvallom (traditional rice boat) and Country boat (open canoe) includes visit to a coir factory and a vegetarian lunch.The Art and the HistoryThe Kerala History Museum & Art Gallery at Edapally and the Folklore museum at Thevara will encapsulate the whole historical essence of the city in one visit. The sound and light show at the Kerala History Museum portrays the cultural and social history of Kerala from early inhabitants to the modern age residents. With 150 handcrafted dolls, the dolls museum within the same complex, houses dolls representing men and women, brides and bridegrooms from various states across India. The brand new sprawling exhibition space invites artists to exhibit their works. The art lovers will be in for a pleasant surprise to see the originals by noted artists like Raja Ravi Varma, F.N Souza, M.F Hussain, Jamini Roy, Kishen Khanna and Nandalal Bose; embellished on the walls of the art gallery. Spread over three floors, the Kerala Folklore museum at Thevara is an architectural museum. It shows the essence of the life and culture of natives over the past 1000 years, through art, antiques, artefacts and live performances of traditional art forms. About 600 odd artefacts are now on display at the Museum restaurant – Ember at the Le Meridien hotel.Dig in into delectable Kerala cuisineKerala Cusine Pic: Bindaas ThankamWith confluence of various cultures and historical past of traders visiting the state, the Kerala cuisine reflects a blend of indigenous and foreign dishes adapted to Kerala tastes. Kerala fare includes Puttu (made with rice powder), Iddiapam (string hoppers), Aapam, Chicken stew, Kadala curry(chickpeas), Kareenmeen pollichudu (pearspot fish cooked in banana leaf), Mutton and Chicken preparations, to name just a few. For rustic experience, the local cuisine with some toddy (palm wine) at “Nettoor Shap” (Toddy shop) and the “Mullapandal Toddy shop” located in Udayamperoor are good options.Fried & Curried forms of Fish, Crab, Mussels, Beef, Duck, Rabbit,… etc. all are the delicacies that one can have a go at. “Pai Brothers” of MG Road is a good late night light dinner option, offering 57 varieties of dosa only.Delve into culture through artPic: Bindaas ThankamPerforming Art forms of Kerala, like the place, are diverse in nature. However, the most common and much heard of Art forms are Kathakali and Kalaripayattu. Kathakali, the classical dance drama is quite popular amongst the tourists. With rich make up, elaborate and vibrant dress, facial expressions, gentle movements, Kathakali is not as easy an art to perform as it may seem like. The dancers get into training from a tender age of six or seven! The same can be said about Kalaripayattu, a martial art with its origin in Kerala. There are centres in Ernakulum as well as Fort Kochi, where one can catch a show or two of these performing art forms of Kerala.RevivifyAyurveda Pic: Bindaas ThankamGetting or rather experiencing an Ayurveda massage in the land of Ayurveda is a must. Ayurveda remains the oldest healthcare system in the world. From rejuvenation packages to healing packages to weight loss programs, the Ayurveda centers, offer it all. The adequate monsoons, the nature of the soil,…etc. ensure the availability of medicinal plants round the year. Which is why, Ayurveda is next to mainline medicine practice in Kerala. There are various Ayurveda centres in Kochi but not all of them are accredited and reliable. So, it is imperative to choose the right place to go. Kerala Ayurveda Centre and Kottakal Ayurveydashala are some of the reputed ones.Catch the sunsetWater till your eyes can see and the setting sun over the horizon. You get the picture! Catching the sunset over the backwaters / sea can contribute to your beautiful memory of this quaint and green city of Kochi. An hour’s drive from Ernakulum, Cherai beach offers you a spectacular sunset. You can also choose to view the sunset from the various eating places that dot the beach line. The Bolgatty Palace is another place which offers you a quiet sunset evening. The view of the backwaters from the boat jetty at Bolgatty Palace is just fabulous. One can also take a boat ride from Marine Drive to catch the magical glimpse of the sun setting into the sea.Pic credit: Bindaas Thankam, is a crazy artist who walks alone,dabbling between different genres and exploring new dimensions of photography with a dash of vintage soul..Planning a trip to The God’s Own Country? Check Cleartrip for flights, trains and hotels
