About Cochin
If you've never been to India, brace yourself. Scary does nothing to describe those first few moments when you leave the port, whether in a tuk-tuk, car or coach, and discover that things on the road are not quite as you're used to at home.
Horns parp, cars overtake -- never mind the traffic coming in the other direction -- vehicles pull out from nowhere. It's alarming if you're not used to it, but the best thing to do is relax. These drivers might seem crazy, but they know what they are doing. Mostly.
Cochin, or Kochi to use its Indian name, is one of the favourite cruise ports in India. It's in the southwest, on the Malabar coast, sitting in a natural harbour that was created by a flood in 1341. Make sure you are awake for the sail-in to watch the sun rise over the misty water and the colourful local boats make their packed way from one side of the city to another.
Cochin is believed to have had trade links with China and Arabia for 2,000 years; 500 years ago the Europeans arrived. First were the Portuguese, when Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India and set up a trading station in 1502. In 1503, Fort Cochin, the first European fort in India, was built.
The city is divided into two halves -- Mattancherry on the south side and Fort Cochin. (You'll see an area that was within the fort, rather than battlements.) The new town of Ernakulam is to the north. There are museums, shops, restaurants and hotels in Ernakulam, but essentially, it's a most modern city. Visitors usually stick with the south side, as that is the most attractive and historic area of the city.
A few hours of exploring in Fort Cochin is time well-spent, but one of the biggest attractions of the city is that it is the gateway to the Kerala Backwaters, a drop-dead gorgeous network of canals, rivers and lakes that twist and turn for about 1,150 kilometres. It's incredibly peaceful and offers a fascinating glimpse into another part of life in India.
Cochin is famous for its spices -- a huge range that includes ginger, red chillies, cinnamon, turmeric and black and white pepper. You'll find little shops all along Bazaar Road in Fort Cochin that sell ready-packaged spices, but look out also for big, colourful tubs of the stuff. Just say how much you want, and they'll weigh it out and package it up.
Other top buys are carved wood, products made from coir (the fibre between the shell and outer husk of a coconut), silks and scarves.
Language
The official state language is Malaylam, but English is widely understood.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money
The national currency is the Indian Rupee (Rs), which is divided into 100 paise. There are about Rs 60 (April 2014) to the dollar and about Rs 95 (April 2014 )to the pound sterling. Visit www.xe.com for up-to-date currency conversions.
You'll probably use cash most of the time when shopping, but credit cards are accepted in the big outlets and also at good restaurants and hotels. There are ATM machines in the main shopping areas, but they are an expensive way to get money and might not be 100 percent reliable. It is probably wiser to bring cash. Just don't carry too much at a time.
Please note a visa is required to enter India; guests must obtain the visa before leaving home through a visa service provider or
local embassy.
PLEASE NOTE: (Cochin) is a city of extremes and it can be an overwhelming experience for first time visitors. Being a third world
country, the standards are not as you might be accustomed to and the buses are the best available. The best way to experience a
different culture and way of life is to keep an open mind and fully absorb this unique opportunity.
Courtesy : Cruisecritic ,Google,Tourbylocals etc
Horns parp, cars overtake -- never mind the traffic coming in the other direction -- vehicles pull out from nowhere. It's alarming if you're not used to it, but the best thing to do is relax. These drivers might seem crazy, but they know what they are doing. Mostly.
Cochin, or Kochi to use its Indian name, is one of the favourite cruise ports in India. It's in the southwest, on the Malabar coast, sitting in a natural harbour that was created by a flood in 1341. Make sure you are awake for the sail-in to watch the sun rise over the misty water and the colourful local boats make their packed way from one side of the city to another.
Cochin is believed to have had trade links with China and Arabia for 2,000 years; 500 years ago the Europeans arrived. First were the Portuguese, when Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India and set up a trading station in 1502. In 1503, Fort Cochin, the first European fort in India, was built.
The city is divided into two halves -- Mattancherry on the south side and Fort Cochin. (You'll see an area that was within the fort, rather than battlements.) The new town of Ernakulam is to the north. There are museums, shops, restaurants and hotels in Ernakulam, but essentially, it's a most modern city. Visitors usually stick with the south side, as that is the most attractive and historic area of the city.
A few hours of exploring in Fort Cochin is time well-spent, but one of the biggest attractions of the city is that it is the gateway to the Kerala Backwaters, a drop-dead gorgeous network of canals, rivers and lakes that twist and turn for about 1,150 kilometres. It's incredibly peaceful and offers a fascinating glimpse into another part of life in India.
Cochin is famous for its spices -- a huge range that includes ginger, red chillies, cinnamon, turmeric and black and white pepper. You'll find little shops all along Bazaar Road in Fort Cochin that sell ready-packaged spices, but look out also for big, colourful tubs of the stuff. Just say how much you want, and they'll weigh it out and package it up.
Other top buys are carved wood, products made from coir (the fibre between the shell and outer husk of a coconut), silks and scarves.
Language
The official state language is Malaylam, but English is widely understood.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money
The national currency is the Indian Rupee (Rs), which is divided into 100 paise. There are about Rs 60 (April 2014) to the dollar and about Rs 95 (April 2014 )to the pound sterling. Visit www.xe.com for up-to-date currency conversions.
You'll probably use cash most of the time when shopping, but credit cards are accepted in the big outlets and also at good restaurants and hotels. There are ATM machines in the main shopping areas, but they are an expensive way to get money and might not be 100 percent reliable. It is probably wiser to bring cash. Just don't carry too much at a time.
Please note a visa is required to enter India; guests must obtain the visa before leaving home through a visa service provider or
local embassy.
PLEASE NOTE: (Cochin) is a city of extremes and it can be an overwhelming experience for first time visitors. Being a third world
country, the standards are not as you might be accustomed to and the buses are the best available. The best way to experience a
different culture and way of life is to keep an open mind and fully absorb this unique opportunity.
Courtesy : Cruisecritic ,Google,Tourbylocals etc