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Guide to Cochin, India
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Cochin
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CochinNestled along the coast of India in the province of Kerala is the city/town of Cochin, where old ways are literally the only way, and historic structures still retain a majority over the new. First intended as a fort settlement and a port city, Cochin encountered a number of foreign travelers throughout its past, and as a result grew in both size and diversity. Today, Cochin shares a collage of religious and cultural institutions with the neighboring city of Ernakulam and together they make up the largest piece of developed land in the state of Kerala. A number of islands sit off the coast where Cochin is located, allowing beautiful views by the water; interestingly, one of these islands Wellington Island serves as the site of the international airport which caters to a good amount cities and towns in the area. If youre looking for posh accommodations, youre out of luck in Cochin. Ernakulam is the place to go for all traveler essentials, though if youd like to get in touch with the basics of life in Cochin, settle down into a cheap bungalow for your evenings here. Sure, Ernakulam may have all youll ever need while youre in India, but historic sites will be hard to spot among the congestion of skyscrapers and the constant drone of taxi horns. Give Cochin a spin if youre one to trod off the typical path taken in search of something to call your own. Give the Fort a day and youll get centuries in return.
When to go:
Situated on the Western coast of Kerala, the city of Cochin sees beautiful weather most of the days of the year. The Arabian Sea can bring quite a bit of disastrous weather to the region, and while the city is somewhat sheltered by the network of man-made islands off the coast, the surf can certainly be unfit for wading or any such activity. For the most part, however, Cochin has a climate that calm, and if you have the chance to see the city in spring or autumn, we highly recommend taking advantage. Though the city doesnt see many travelers at any particular time of year, rainfall is quite minimal during these seasons as opposed to winter and summer.
Getting there and around:
Lets be honest. Cochins airport isnt so much a world-class brew of cafes, speedy check-ins and check-outs, or even the best place to get a bite to eat, but one thing it surely has going for it are its connections. Not only does Cochin cater to the rest of India, but many international airports in Asia, Europe, and even Australia reserve a few spots for this small but noticeable destination. Oh, and you can hitch a ride into town by bus or taxi. Keep away from the car rental agencies. You wouldnt want to muddy the perfectly clean air with more exhaust deposits, would you?
The best way to get around town is, of course, by foot. But itd be asking a lot to expect a tourist whod forgotten to pack the Nikes to cover so much terrain. Therefore, its best to follow the citys bus schedule. Sure, a taxi is always a pleasing alternative to cramped, shoddy buses, and fares are surprisingly cheap, but calling ahead for a ride just seems like a nuisance, especially if it has to be done repeatedly.
Attractions:
The borders of Cochin Fort are so vaguely drawn that most end up referring to the city itself as the Fort. Given that youre in a great historic site, what do you do? Look for artifacts! Museums can be found in many places around the city, but youll do better to cover the citys timeline in a more efficient manner.
Visit the Church of St. Francis, built roughly five centuries ago, where youll encounter fairly simple exterior architecture with an interior that will astound you. Its no Roman cathedral, but it is impressive for its location.
The Dutch Palace is another structure that hides its grandeur in a somewhat bleak faade. Take a peek inside and your eyes will quickly light up with the sight of a luxurious interior that would seem fit for the English royal family. In fact, it was the Dutch who repaired and renovated the structure after years of neglect by its creators, the Portuguese. The Dutch even took the liberty to rename the site after their efforts were completed.
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