Get to Know India’s Tropical Paradise Kochi
Kochi, the ‘Gateway to Kerala’ has been a long time stopover for travelers on the way to other states of the country, India. Filled with immense views of the sea and lofty mountains alongside food, history and stunning art, Kochi is a must- visit port city on the south- western coast of India.
Tripadvisor has named the city the No. 1 Travelers’ Choice Trending Destination, and it served as the most important port on the Spice Coast for over 600 years. Want to see why it’s popular? Here’s what you need to know about planning a vacation to Kochi, then book your air tickets at best airline deals to find cheap flights online.
1) Know About Kochi
The city, known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea,’ traded goods with the Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and British who occupied the port at different times.
It is due to this diverse history that the city is a unique fusion of cuisines, eclectic cultures worth knowing about and historical architectural techniques with their own flair of elegance.
Thankfully, it is easy to explore Kochi. You can easily rent a bicycle or travel on foot to see all the sights this wondrous city has to offer.
2) What to See in Kochi
There is so much to experience in this city that it would take up a lot of time exploring every single thing. From the Chinese fishing nets gifted to the locals by explorer Zheng He in the 14th century, trying activities like snorkeling, paragliding and dolphin watching, relishing on mouth- watering street food at Thattukada, to taking the Muziris Spice Tour, we guarantee you won’t get bored and out of options to choose from.
However, not every traveler can afford to have a lengthy stay in Kochi. For such visitors with less time, Kochi offers private one day tuktuk rides that allow them to see as much as possible within only a day. Some of the best sites that you need to put on your checklist for your visit include the following:
- Jews mostly visited the Paradesi Synagogue, a Jewish Synagogue built in 1568.
- Poornathrayeesa and Chottanikkara Hindu temples, with Poornathrayeesa famed for celebrating the Vrishchikolsavam in November and childless couples visiting to get the blessings. The Goddess temple in Chottanikkara cures people’s mental illnesses and is well-known for it.
- Kerala Kathakali Centre, where the experience starts as soon as you enter the theatre and watch the dancers in their elaborate makeup along with classical musicians and Kalaripayattu, a martial arts showcase.
- Kumarakom village, as it offers backwater tours that take up almost 4- 5 hours in one trip, and emphasizes your experience with glimpses of daily life on the shores along a palm-lined network of lagoons. You’ll also receive a welcome drink, lunch, and afternoon tea as you immerse yourself in the striking views.
- Go-Karting, an experience not to be missed and available all over the city at Badminton Club in Elamakkara , Speedway Kochi, Chillax Racing and the Cochin International Airport.
What to Eat?
If you’re expecting Kochi’s cuisine to be mostly Indian, you are in for a surprise! And a pleasant one, it is. Kochi has something for food- lovers at every budget. Indulge yourself in the British food offered at Kashi Art Café, where continental British and European food are served up with an Indian tang. Dishes offered here range from pancakes, oatmeal, homemade granola, poached eggs and omelets to fruit, appam, and vegetable stew.
Or you can buy immediately- caught fish & eat it freshly cooked at the port area. Since the port area in Kochi has an indigenous fish market, you can find all kinds of fishes like red snapper, grouper, king fish, prawns and sea bream. You can buy it by the kilo and ask a local restaurant nearby (there are several, by the way) to cook your fish for you at a really small fee.
You can also try the delish prawn curries cooked with coconut paste, then wrapped in banana leaves and grilled to perfection as the flavors infuse. Go for mud- baked chicken or the egg Dosa served up with tomato chutney and Sambhar.
What are still waiting for? Book cheap flight tickets online now!
