Explore Kochi The Gateway to Kerala

21st June 2019

Namaskaram! Have you been to India lately? Well, I’ve been to India several times be it for work or my personal trip. However, my recently trip to Kerala, God’s Own Country for 18 days under Kerala Blog Express has changed my perspective towards life and many things. Kochi is known as ” Gateway to Kerala,” so my trip started in Kochi and I’m glad that AirAsia flies to and from Kuala Lumpur Kochi on daily basis. From Kochi, I travelled to Alappuzha, Thekkady, Munar, Suryanelli, Athirappilly, Palakkad, Wayanad, Vythiri, Kasaragod, Kollam, Trivandrum, Kovallam and then back to Kochi after 18 days. Lots of travelling huh… now I can’t wait to share so many experiences with you.

Let’s get it started! My Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi via AirAsia was just 4 hours. It was a short flight, pleasant one and I managed to take a nap then I arrived on time at Cochin International Airport. Well, I love to travel via AirAsia coz they have many flights to many destinations in India such as Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Kolkata, and Hyderabad as of now. Hopefully there will be more new routes to India because I plan to go to Madurai soon.

 

The Stay: Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty

Aha! You know I stayed at Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty omg… the hotel so luxe and I wish I can stayed there for more days. It’s a luxury waterfront hotel on Bolgatty Island, Kochi. The Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty is a waterfront urban resort overlooking the backwaters of Vembanad Lake, we even took the sunset cruise from the city back to the hotel.

The Festival: Holi Festival in India

Happy Holi ! It was my first time celebrating Holi Festival India such a wonderful and colorful experience to kick start the trip. Holi is an annual Hindu festival popularly known as the Indian “festival of spring”, the “festival of colours”, or the “festival of love” which is celebrated in India and Nepal during spring where participants throw colored water, or powder at each other.

The festival signifies the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. Ahhh… a meaning one. So if you miss the Holi festival this year, do catch the next one on 9th to 10th of March, 2020.

Things To Do in Kochi

 

Chinese Fishing Net @ Fort Kochi

This is the place you must visit when you are in Kochi, best time to visit is during sunset. The iconic Chinese Fishing Nets is one of Kochi’s most recognizable sight. Chinese fishing nets were introduced by the chinese around 700 years ago, operate mainly during high tide.

Well, about 6 people work in a net and they dip and rise the net around 300 times every day. They can make a living out of it, that’s why this method of fishing is surviving even today.

 

St. Francis Church @ Fort Kochi

Well you can also find churches in Kerala, St. Francis Church is believed to be the oldest European-built church in India and its located close to Princess Street. However, it’s most famous for the fact that it was once the burial site of explorer Vasco de Gama, who died in Kochi in 1524 before his remains were taken back to Portugal. Details http://stfranciscsichurch.com/

 

Spices, Princess Street & Jew Street in Matancherry @ Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi’s is the main strip, Princess Street is one of the oldest streets in the city for people watching, cafes, restaurants, bookstores, tea shops, art galleries, and some shopping for souvenirs and there are some grocery stores too.

Between Mattancherry Dutch Palace and the Pardesi Jewish Synagogue, is a quaint area known as Jew Town. It’s the center of the spice trade in Kochi, we spent some time wandering through the colourful streets and lanes, and exploring some of the antique stores.

The Arts: Muziris Biennale

The Arts: Muziris Biennale

Muziris Biennale is the only Biennale in India that happen every 2 year once, and so happen I was there at that time. Kochi Biennale Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust engaged in promoting art & culture and educational activities in India.

Primary amongst them the hosting of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, an art exhibition and festival that is the largest of its kind in South Asia. The fourth edition of the Biennale will run from 12 December, 2018 until 29 March, 2019. D etails http://kochimuzirisbiennale.org/

The Cultural: Kathakali Performance

Kathakali is a classical ancient dance-drama form originated from Kerala. The Kathakali dancers is well known for its fascinating and colorful face painting and costumes. The dance form presents themes and stories that are derived from Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana as well as many other folk stories. The Kathakali Center in Kochi runs regular performances as well as offers a backstage look at the artists as they prepare for the classical dance events. Details http://www.kathakalicentre.com/

 

 

Thanks to AirAsia for sponsoring my flight for Kerala Blog Express trip. If you wish to explore Kerala, you can start your journey in Kochi because it the Gateway to Kerala. There are so many incredible places, people, nature, wildlife, cuisine, and even ayurveda to dicover in Kerala.

AirAsia has daily flights to and from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi at a very reasonable price and it only take 4 hours. For more information about the flight details please visit AirAsia https://www.airasia.com

Originally Published in 
https://www.sunshinekelly.com/2019/05/explore-kochi-gateway-to-kerala-airasia.html