When my friend, Rachel, asked if I were interested in joining her to Kerala, South India, travelling backpackers’ style, I hesitated. I hesitated not because it was going to be ‘backpacking’, but because I felt that it was too soon after my New Zealand trip. However, after visiting Air Asia website, I found it hard to say ‘NO’!
While I have been to northern India several times, it would be my first for the South. And I hardly knew anything about the state of Kerala, other than that ‘it is located on the south-western coast of the subcontinent. And that it is famous for its backwaters, houseboats, coconut trees…’ Needless to say, I was looking forward to find out more about this place which is slowly gaining its popularity among the people of Malaysia, all thanks to Air Asia for choosing Kochi and Trivandrum (capital of Kerala) their flying destinations.
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Fort Cochin
Arrived at Kochi International Airport (located on the mainland) at 4:30pm local time. Took a taxi (which cost Rs 700, or about RM54.00) to Fort Cochin. The journey took more than an hour amidst the after-office-hour jam.
It was hot, humid and dusty. Arh, my first taste of South India.
January is still a peak season in this part of India and many of the hotels / home-stays (both budget and higher end ones) were already taken up by the time we arrived in the late evening. Fortunate to finally find one, at RM10.00 per person.
Fort Cochin is one of the few places in the world where one can see a melange of Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, Dutch Architecture, mosque, temples and the famous Chinese fishing nets.
We spent the following day exploring this interesting, rustic, serene little town. Did I like it? Oh, yes! We also watched the India's famous and popular dance-drama, Kathakali.
The Chinese Fishing Nets (above and below few)
The tourists lifting the fishing net
(the stones are the counterweights)
One can buy the seafood from these stalls and the restaurants
nearby would cook for the customers (above and below).
‘Horizontal’ tree
Steam boilers of the cranes which used coke, coal and
fire wood as fuel. Was in use for 20 years from 1956.
St Francis Church – believed to be India’s oldest
European-built church (above and below).
Santa Cruz Basilica
Streets of Fort Cochin (above and below 2)
Bought some seafood and had our lunch here
Our yummy yummy lunch
Jew Town
Pardesi Synagogue (far end), Jew Town
It was hot, humid and dusty. Arh, my first taste of South India.
January is still a peak season in this part of India and many of the hotels / home-stays (both budget and higher end ones) were already taken up by the time we arrived in the late evening. Fortunate to finally find one, at RM10.00 per person.
Fort Cochin is one of the few places in the world where one can see a melange of Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, Dutch Architecture, mosque, temples and the famous Chinese fishing nets.
We spent the following day exploring this interesting, rustic, serene little town. Did I like it? Oh, yes! We also watched the India's famous and popular dance-drama, Kathakali.
The Chinese Fishing Nets (above and below few)The tourists lifting the fishing net(the stones are the counterweights)
One can buy the seafood from these stalls and the restaurantsnearby would cook for the customers (above and below).
‘Horizontal’ treeSteam boilers of the cranes which used coke, coal andfire wood as fuel. Was in use for 20 years from 1956.
St Francis Church – believed to be India’s oldestEuropean-built church (above and below).
Santa Cruz BasilicaStreets of Fort Cochin (above and below 2)Bought some seafood and had our lunch hereOur yummy yummy lunchJew TownPardesi Synagogue (far end), Jew Town Kathakali
Kathakali is an Indian dance-drama, originated from Kerala during the late 16th century. It is noted for its attractive, heavy make-up characters; elaborate costumes; detailed and well defined body movements, eye expressions and hand gestures. The performance is accompanied by singing and music.
Audience were welcome to watch the characters putting up their make-up and ‘dressing up’ for the performance.
The two performers getting ready
for the show... (above and below few)
...and finally, show time (above and below 2)
Audience were welcome to watch the characters putting up their make-up and ‘dressing up’ for the performance.
The two performers getting readyfor the show... (above and below few)
...and finally, show time (above and below 2)Munnar
We left the hotel shortly after 6:00am as we wanted to catch an early ferry to Emakulam, on the mainland of Kochi, before taking a bus to Munnar.
Although Munnar is only about 150km away from Kochi, the journey took about 4-1/2 hours due to the road condition and the many stops along the way.
It was indeed a respite to leave Kochi and be on this little hill resort as the weather was much more pleasant and cooler.
Munnar is a place with plenty of tea plantations. We spent two nights here and hired a jeep, at Rs 325 (RM25.00) per person for a two half-day tours around the hill region. Among the places visited were: rose garden, Mattupetty dam, Kundaly Lake, Eravikulam National Park (where we took an hour walk about the park), Hydel Park and coffee & cardamom plantation.
At the bus station in Emakulam, Kochi
Had breakfast here while waiting for the bus
Street of Emakulam
Scenery along the way to Munnar
Munnar town
Tuk-tuk is the main form of transport in
most of the towns. It is cheap and convenient.
Hired the jeep for two half-day tours.
It cost Rs 325 (RM25.00) per person.
Mattupetty Dam (above and below)
Stalls at Mattupetty Dam
Eucalyptus trees
Kundaly Lake
Eravikulam National Park
Mountain goats (above and below)
Although Munnar is only about 150km away from Kochi, the journey took about 4-1/2 hours due to the road condition and the many stops along the way.
It was indeed a respite to leave Kochi and be on this little hill resort as the weather was much more pleasant and cooler.
Munnar is a place with plenty of tea plantations. We spent two nights here and hired a jeep, at Rs 325 (RM25.00) per person for a two half-day tours around the hill region. Among the places visited were: rose garden, Mattupetty dam, Kundaly Lake, Eravikulam National Park (where we took an hour walk about the park), Hydel Park and coffee & cardamom plantation.
At the bus station in Emakulam, KochiHad breakfast here while waiting for the busStreet of EmakulamScenery along the way to MunnarMunnar townTuk-tuk is the main form of transport inmost of the towns. It is cheap and convenient.
Hired the jeep for two half-day tours.It cost Rs 325 (RM25.00) per person.
Mattupetty Dam (above and below)Stalls at Mattupetty DamEucalyptus treesKundaly LakeEravikulam National Park
Mountain goats (above and below)
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