Finally after a hectic week ,on 29th Dec 2006 we left from KBS Bangalore by Airavath (Volvo) at 8:00PM to our tour destination KOCHI.
Had a 12 Hrs luxurious journey to Kochi through Coaimbatur-Salem -Trishur.
One of the best travel service available to Kochi is by bus preferably Volvo as u will have a tight sleep after a good Bollywood movie [we had Janeeman (Night show) and Chupke-Chupke (Morning show)] so that u r in full charge the next morning.
DAY 1, Saturday 30th Dec 2006:
By 8:00 A.M had a stay @ Good Shepherd Tourist Home, M.G.Road the heart of Kochi .Got fresh n left to out first destination Mattancherry island at 10AM. Had a taste of local bus (Fully Naturally Air Conditioned, i.e. without windows) service of Kerala, well its really cheap n a must try and the best way to travel around Kochi even the auto service is damn cheap.
Mattancherry Island @ 10:00 A.M:
We traveled to this island through bus crossing 2 of the major bridges connecting main part of Kochi by paying just 6 INR.
Places to watch Jew Town n Jewish synagogue [Fri/sat Closed] it’s a must watch.
The whole of Jew town (Feels like u r in some part of Israel) was filled with some of the world’s biggest and best antique products, spice shops and perfumes.
Dutch palace [Fri closed]:
Had amazing paintings related to Ramayana and Mahabharatha painted in 14th Century A.C. It’s a must watch. Such a beautiful palace can be watched by paying just 2 INR.
Walk through the beautiful streets of Jew Town towards Fort Kochi. It feels like coming from Israel to France by walk.
Places to watch in Fort Kochi:
St. Francis Church an 18th Century Church.
In and around you will find lot of French styled villas.
Walk towards Chinese fish net area.
You will find lot of seaside restaurants. Its time for a good fishmeal.
(Purchase fresh fish of your choice, and get it baked for you).
Best way to travel here is hire a Bicycle…
Moving from Mattancherry Island to Vypeen Island @ 2:00 PM:
Travel cost: 2 INR from Fort Kochi to Vypeen Jetty (Standing service by Boat)
Get ready for some sudden surprises in Kerala, as it is a Communist dominated state in India. 30th Dec 2006 had another major thing apart from our tour to Kerala. The so-called famous leader Saddam Hussain was Executed in Iraq on that day morning. So there was a super response for it in Kerala. All the transportation services were jammed by noon and locals didn’t know the reason. Tried our luck to hire an auto by paying thrice the charge what they demand, but it was hard luck. After 2KM walk then came a perfect Keralite Literate (Some times its pretty hard to communicate in Kerala as people don’t know other than Mallu Language), who just agreed to drop us to High court Junction for just 20 INR.
High court boat Jetty @ 4:00PM:
Had an excellent boat ride with a DJ Music and look-alike Himesh Reshmiya blasting our ears and a dance floor. The ride takes u through the coastal side of Kochi to Arabian sea via ONGC, Kochi ship building yard, Indian Navy, Kochi commercial port, Wellington Island where u can have a glimpse of Bolgatty Palace (which has been converted to a Taj group resort) etc… All these stuffs @ a cost of just 30 INR.
Evening walk through Marine drive and crossed the cable bridges to reach Royal music footway. Settled down for a while, having a glimpse of sunset with local DJ playing Bollywood music (Pretty surprising…)
DAY 2, Sunday 31st Dec 2006:
Its time for some early morning Kerala styled breakfast, had a good Idiyappam Kadala, Puttu and get back to work.
Travel to Tripuntara Hill Palace [Monday holiday] –
The total time to spend is about 4-5 hrs. Entries charge 30 INR.
It’s the palace of the then Kochi kings. It’s a must watch place. It has amazing collection of paintings, weapons and caravan. It even has a zoo and a life size Dino and elephant carved by wood. The best thing to watch there is a whole heritage village u feels as if u has passed through a time machine and r currently in 18th century. U can have an Arial view of Kochi from the front balcony of the palace. The best part was the jewels of Maharaja…The Crown, which was worth millions of US $. It was a high security area with no cams n mobile. And the amazing part for those who have watched “Mr. Bean-Movie” you will find the famous lady painting from the French Museum there (It’s a once in a life time chance to see that painting).
Return back to Kochi and have a tight lunch. Book a package for Murunjapura (Backwaters) @ the cost of 350 INR. (Inclusive of pickup and drop from your Hotel)
Its around 40 KM from Kochi.
That was an amazing ride through the backwaters of kerala… some even man made backwaters are found with just 3 feet of water.
Now and then they had stopped to have a glimpse of coir making industry of Kerala.
That was a ride to remember for lifetime.
Back to base by evening New Year party @ full flow in Kochi…but we had a tight sleep as we needed to cover lots more next day morning….
DAY 3, Monday 1st Jan 2007:
The first thing to b seen in this year was the working of Chinese Fishing nets.
We got into the first Ferry service from High court jetty to Custom jetty which cost just 3 INR. There come the time punctuality the first service was about to leave @ 7:10 A.M and the whole 100 seater boat left sharp @ 7:10 with just 3 of us seating…That was a cool journey in the Queen of Arabia.
Walked till Fort Kochi n saw the amazing Chinese Fishing nets that operate on the concept of gravity. No fuel needed they operate for a time of 3 Hrs in morning and evening and catch fish worth 5000 INR in one shift….
@ around 10:00 A.M traveled to Vypeen and from there reached Cherai Beach one of the best beaches u will find around….
Moved towards Kodalur Elephant training Center [Monday-Holiday] Here u can have a Elephant safari for 200 INR. And a small river to cross and a zoo to see.
Finally it was time to pack off so returned back to Kochi in full swing …….
The roads are rubberized so Best way to travel is by Bus which never goes @ less than 70 Mph.
Had shopping @ M.G.Road….
NOTE: There is only one Citibank in Kerala i.e @ M.G.Road Kochi and bcoz Saddam was executed people stormed it and we were running out of cash….SBI cards r the best option to carry during traveling in Kerala (Every 100 Mts u will find a ATM)…….coz u never know when Bin Laden can b found dead…..
Best way to travel is rome around ur self so that u can cover lot of places…..
@ around 8:00 P.M left to base camp B’lore by the same old volvo the only change was the movie we had (Phir Hera Pheri).
IT WAS A SUPERB TOUR FROM 2006-2007 IN GODS OWN COUNTRY (WHERE GOD GOES ON HARTAL (STRIKE) NOW N THEN).
WE COMPLETED THE TOUR WITH 3300 INR.
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