Fort Kochi conjures up the image of Chinese fishing nets that have been photographed innumerable times against the backdrop of a setting sun. But what’s beyond this charming snapshot?
Fort Kochi is one of those places which has been polished a tad extra for tourists and travellers. It’s hard to understand what’s local and what’s authentic. The hundreds of ‘home-stays’ in Fort Kochi are actually either family run guesthouses or family run hostels complete with a reception desk et al. A local Kerala meal is not easily available but everything else is. And weird as it may sound, I somehow missed the fun of being in a place where things are a bit disorganised and confusing. Fort Kochi is actually a comfort travel destination- if that makes any sense.
I spent most of my time in this gorgeous little island walking through its streets. Of course, there are museums and some beautiful churches to be visited but it’s the streets which hold a lot of character.
Here is my pictorial guide to Fort Kochi's street corners and other interesting experience based activities.
The atmospheric cemeteries
If you like to visit historic cemeteries, then look out for the Dutch cemetery in the new part of Fort Kochi and the Jewish Cemetery in the old part- Mattancherry. Access to both may require prior permission but one can get a decent peek inside through the gates- like I got here.
Ride through the backwaters in a hand-rowed boat
It’s said that a trip to Kerala is incomplete without a backwater trip. And the good thing is that Allepey is no more that 90 minutes away from Fort Kochi. So how can one miss the ride through its backwaters?
Enjoy the gentle pleasures of a hand rowed boat or a motorised one but definitely do not miss the local wooden canoes.
Street vistas
The quaint streets here have a charm and character all their own.
Whether it is the quaint sleepy Jew Street of Mattancherry or Calvetty Road or Berger Street, you will never run out of interesting sights. In every corner, there is some form of art, graffiti, architecture or history to be explored.
The Chinese fishing nets
At last, the most photographed view that all tourists want to capture for posterity. . This 500-year-old fishing technique is fast vanishing with only 11 such nets left in Fort Kochi and nine in Fort Vypeen. One surely has to visit these when the fishermen are at it.
Catch the performing artistes
There are three popular venues in Fort Kochi where traditional dance performances like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Theyyam etc along with traditional martial arts Kalaripayattu are performed for visitors every day.
These shows are designed keeping tourists from all around the world in mind.
The venues are Greenix Village, Folklore Cultural Theatre and Cochin Cultural Centre. Some debate that such paid performances are a little too ‘commercial’, but let’s accept it. Not all of us get an opportunity to see these beautiful dance forms in their real avatars, so why not visit the ones put out for tourists exclusively? More importantly, I am glad, it is because of these institutions, that the local artistes have a platform and the artforms are preserved.
Ferry Ride from Mattancherry to Fort Kochi
If you’re living in Fort Kochi, chances are that you’ll be commuting totally by foot or on a hired scooter. But a local ferry ride connecting Wellingdon Island, Ernakulam, Mattancherry and Fort Kochi is a must to see some local sights and lives.
Paradesi Synagogue
This pretty as a picture synagogue with colorful lamps hanging from the ceiling is reportedly the only functioning one in all of the Commonwealth countries.
A must visit.
(Photography is not allowed inside)
Richa Gupta blogs at http://travels-and-stories.blogspot.in/