Worldroom MICE Tourism Guide: India 2008


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	Worldroom National Tourism Guide INDIA 2008archive


	Fort Kochi is an ideal starting point for trips and tours in South India. Fort Kochi or Fort Cochin is the home to some of the oldest European architecture in India and retains a great deal of colonial charm. It has been a significant settlement ever since Cochin Harbour was discovered. Fort Kochi is accessible by bus and ferry. The bus ride from Ernakulam town, which is nearly 13 km away, takes about an hour and the ferry ride from Main boat jetty at Ernakulam about 20 minutes. With an international airport, an international sea port and a busy network of road and rail transport, the city is well connected to the rest of the world. Kochi was a land locked region up until 1341 A.D, when a major flood transformed it into an estuary and thus gave birth to one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Naturally, it attracted many seafaring visitors from across the globe and in the 15th century, with the settling down of the Portuguese also made Kochi the first European township in India. The adventurous Vasco da Gamma and the valiant Cabral were lured by the fabulous riches of the Malabar Coast and they established flourishing trade relations with India. In 1553 with the permission of the Maharaja of Cochin, Fort Immanuel, the first European Fort in India was constructed. Within its vast confines, the Portuguese built houses, churches and other buildings. The Dutch wrested Fort Kochi from the Portuguese in 1663 AD. During this period, Fort Kochi peaked in stature as a prime commercial centre. The town in its present form was laid out by the Dutch and during their era, Fort Cochin climbed the heights of fame as a rich commercial center, a major military base, an illustrious cultural hub, a noted ship building yard and an age old center of Christianity. The last of the colonial regime at Fort Cochin was that of the British, who took over the town in 1795. They relegated the town to an administrative outpost. Yet, the spice and tea trade kept it in the limelight. In many of the Bungalows here, one can notice the grandeur of European Villas and witness the distinct strain of Indo-European Architecture that matured during this period. Fort Cochin probably has the best preserved history of colonial times and the ideal way to enjoy it is to take a walk down its old roads, with its tree-lined avenues and quaint little lands and beside the seashores where the magnificent Chinese fishing nets sketch a spectacular skyline. It is believed that the Chinese travelers introduced the art of Chinese fishing to Cochin. The huge cantilevered fishing nets are the legacy of one of the first visitors to Malabar Coast. Erected between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders from the Court of Kubla Khan, these nets are set up on teak wood and bamboo poles. The best place to watch the net being lowered into the sea and catch being brought in is Vasco da Gamma Square, a narrow promenade that runs along the Beach. Walking through this old Portuguese settlement at a leisurely pace will take up to an hour and a half. The most pleasant time for the walk is between 9 am and 12 noon or between 3 pm and 6 pm. The ideally suited attire in this sub tropical country is cottons and soft walking shoes. A wide-brimmed straw hat would be of great help on sunny days. St. Francis Church, built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan Friars is India's oldest European Church. This was initially built of timber and later reconstructed in stone masonry. Vasco da Gamma, considered to be the world's greatest navigator, was buried here in 1524, before his remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal. The charming Pierce Leslie Mansion, the magnificent Koder House, Loafer's Corner/ Princess Street, Vasco House, VOC Gate with the monogram of the once mighty Dutch East India Company, The United Club, The Bishop's House, Fort Immanuel, The Dutch Cemetery, Thakur House, David Hall, The Cochin Club, Bastion Bungalow and the Church of Santa Cruz Basilica, provide vignettes of the glorious history of this land. Just 20 minutes away, in Mattancherry, one can see the Jewish settlements, the Dutch Palace and the Jewish Synagogue, which are over 400 years old. Kochi is separated from the mainland by Vembanad Lake which merges into the sea near Fort Kochi. This large water body forms the famous backwaters of Kerala, stretching all the way to Alleppey. Tourists flock here, to the resorts, houseboats and to the Ayurvedic health centres. Fort Kochi is more of a tourist town, full of hotels, restaurants and places of interest to visit. It has many exotic restaurants specializing in seafood and Kerala food. But what is really attractive about Kochi is its calm and quiet atmosphere. Surrounded by sea on all sides, one can feel the sea in the air. Despite being close to a city, one doesn't experience the early morning rush or traffic snarls on the roads. Coconut trees, quaint houses and open areas make a holiday in Fort Kochi, exciting and memorable.