Cochin, or Kochi as it has been renamed in the rush for ’’regionalizing colonial names’’ is a fairly old city, visited by the Dutch and Portugese as far back as the 15th century. Aided by a natural harbour, this port city gradually developed into the commercial hub of Kerala, and today is a cosmopolitan city where people from all over India mingle together. As a result, it is also one of the few places in the South that offers a cuisine that will satisfy gourmets from any part of India (and probably the world). Fortunately or unfortunately, Kochi does not, to date, boast of specialty restaurants that dish out exclusive Thai, Indonesian or Mexican food, but you can enjoy good, wholesome Indian food, whether it be Gujarathi or Bengali, or even Malabari, at very reasonable rates. It is my belief that this fair city serves up better grub than the well-known joints at Chennai and Bangalore. Check out the buffet at Casino Hotel in the Port, or Abad Plaza at MG Road, if you want confirmation.
If my opening paragraph left you feeling that Kochi has nothing to offer but good food, or that I am a slobbering gourmand, let me assure you that it is not so. I started of in this vein, as the previous reviewers on Kochi did not touch on such gastronomic matters in their excellent reviews. Are you a foreign tourist visiting India? Please be aware of the fact that food or water, from any part of India, may lay you down with the infamous Delhi belly.
How do you get there?
Kochi is connected with all major cities by both rail and air, and a number of long distance buses also ply from Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Mangalore etc. While the railway stations are bang in the centre of the city, the airport is about 20km away.
Once there, you can choose from a number of hotels, ranging from plain-jane lodgings for the budget travellers, to five star set ups, for your boarding and lodging. The auto-rickshaws tend to overcharge a bit (maybe upto double the normal rate if you are a foreigner) but are not so usurious as their counterparts at Chennai!
What do you do once you have landed in Kochi?
For the tourist, there is a half-day cruise organised by the KTDC, which covers the major historical sites such as Mattancherry palace, Jewish synagogue, Chinese fishing nets etc. It is excellent value for money, if your time is short. Other places of interest have already been mentioned in Salil’s (relsr) review. Those with traditional arts in their minds can check out the various Kathakali shows organised every day by the dance schools of the city. A walk along the Marine Drive in the evening is a soothing exercise, but if you are a female, dont venture out alone, for this region harbours exhibitionists by the dozen! The Veegaland water theme park is a must-see if you are with family and kids.
If you have time in your hands, visit the surrounding areas for a real feel of why Kerala is called God’s own country. The nature lovers can try out the Periyar wildlife preserve at Thekkadi for a view of elephant herds (and a tiger if you are lucky), the hill station at Munnar and the Eravikulam National Park for a glimpse of the nilgai (Nilgiri Tahr). Visit the Coconut grove at Kumarakom to enjoy the scenic beauty of the backwaters. If your wallet supports it, arrange a day’s cruise in a houseboat, enjoying the rural food of Kerala in the meanwhile.
If you love shopping, you can find a variety of handicrafts and other trinkets in the shops of Mattancherry and Fort Cochin. While visiting the latter, check out the Chinese nets, and sample the freshly caught fish for a novel experience.
Kochi has recently started to develop as a centre for medical tourism, since it boasts a number of excellent hospitals that offer state-of-the-art treatment at affordable costs. Citizens of the Persian Gulf and Mauritius have been using these facilities for some time, and the government is trying to tempt the UK with its beleaguered NHS, to follow suit.
What does Kochi lack?
The city practically goes to sleep by 9Pm, and there is no nightlife to speak of. While there are any number of bars (all of which are well frequented by their loyal clients), there are no pubs worth speaking about.