Kochi Backwaters
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Kochi (Cochin) - Queen of the Arabian Sea: Kochi is group of islands on Lake
Vembanad, which opens out into the Arabian Sea. Some of the islands are Bolgatty,
Vyppin, Gundu and Vallarpadam. Half the fun of visiting Kochi is moving around
on the local ferries. A conducted cruise through the winding waterways will take
you to several quaint spots. The main tourist attraction of Kochi is visiting
these islands on the local ferries. |
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The lake opens out into the Arabian Sea here to form one of the finest natural
harbors in the world. It is this natural advantage that has made Kochi a
fascinating blend of the cultures and influences of the explorers and traders
who visited this wealthy land. |
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Kochi is well known for one of the finest natural harbors in the world. The
ancestral rulers of cochin with their cosmopolitan outlook, traded goods as well
as knowledge with visitors from far off lands and latter Chinese, Arabs, Dutch,
British and Portuguese followed the sea route to cochin. The Arabs, Chinese,
Portuguese, Dutch and the British have all left their mark here. The Jewish
synagogue, the Dutch palace, the Chinese fishing nets, and other remnants of
European and Asian architecture merge smoothly into the traditional fabric of
the seaport city. |
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Then there is the captivating Cochin (Kochi) with the charming
combination of the picture perfect islands like Bolgatty, Vyppin,
Gundu and Vallarpadam. The reminisces of the Chinese, Arabian,
Portuguese and the Dutch travelers and traders are omnipresent in
Cochin. The variant village cruises to the coconut plantations and the
coir villages should not be missed. The peace and the warmth make the
vivacious destination come true to its title of being the queen of the
Arabian Sea. The sweet memories of the rustic life and the gorgeous
greens of Cochin will carry on to refresh you time and again much
after the end of the holiday too. |
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A string of picturesque and lovely islands, lagoons, small rivulets and swaying
coconut palm trees make Kochi a perfect backwaters destination. Besides, what
really attracts the tourists visiting Kochi is the colorful culture and
hospitality of the local people. |
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Kochi also has a very rich history. It's said that many
backwaters cruises begin or end in Kochi. Welcome to Kerala and
explore and enjoy the exotic and beautiful backwaters of Kochi.
There are many beautiful and amazing monuments worth visiting
here. Prominent among them are:
- Willington Island: This is a man-made island
surrounded by beautiful backwaters. It houses the city's best
hotels and trading centers, the port trust and the
headquarters of the southern naval command.
- Bolghatty Island: A narrow long island, it's famous
for the Bolghatty Palace, built by the Dutch in 1744. The only
golf course in Kochi is located here. Boats are available for
water cruise in the island connecting Cochin to Bolghatty
Island. This island is famous for its palace of the same name.
- Fort Kochi: Starting as a fishing village, it
became the first fort built by the Europeans in India.
Firstly, the Dutch and then British all constructed numerous
architectures in and around this historic fort.
- Chinese Fishing Nets: Indian traders brought these
huge cantilevered fishing nets here from the court of Kublai
Khan. The best place to enjoy the nets being lowered into the
sea and its catch is the Vasco de Gama square.
- Mattancherry Palace: It was built by the Portuguese
in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi.
Some of the beautiful arts on display here are murals
depicting scenes from the epics, Ramayana, Mahabharata and
from other Puranic Hindu legends. Here you can also see the
Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal palanquins, coronation outwears
of former maharajas of Kochi.
- Jewish Synagogue: The oldest synagogue in the
commonwealth, it was built in the year 1568. The synagogue is
famous for its amazing 18th century hand painted willow
pattern floor tiles imported from China, the copper plates on
which the privilege granted by the kings were recorded, a dock
tower and Hebrew inscriptions on stone slabs.
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