Amazing Fort Kochi
For a moment you may imagine you have entered a back street of some old parts in a European city. Fort Kochi is packed with old European style buildings and hence its charm. It has a quaint familiarity for foreign tourists who feel right at home. Strolling through the winding lanes, watching a game of cricket at the Parade Ground, watching the patient up-down action of the Chinese fishing nets – a symbol of Kochi – are the joys of Fort Kochi. There are eleven Chinese fishing nets which were first brought to Kerala by Chinese traders during the time of the Chinese Emperor Kublai Khan. The St.Francis Church, considered one of the oldest church built by Europeans in India in 1503 is a major landmark as the mortal remains of St.Francis was once buried here. The Fort Kochi beach too is another major attraction.
Hill Palace Museum, Tripunithura
This was once the place where the erstwhile Maharaja of Kochi lived and ruled over the realm. This magnificient palace in Kerala style was converted into a Museum in 1986 and now exhibits all the ornaments of the Cochin Royal Family, their collection of Paintings, Sculptures (Marble and Stone), Weapons, Inscriptions and Decrees, Coins, Vehicles and much more. The complex also has an archeological museum, a children’s park, a Deer Park and a Heritage Museum. The Hill Palace Museum can be easily reached by a short ride that takes you across the town. It is a great place to spend a whole day and offers a variety of entertainment and sightseeing.Museum of Kerala history, Edappally
The statue of sage Parashurama greets you at the front of the Museum of Kerala History at Edapally. It is an apt beginning because it was he who is believed to have literally created the land of Kerala out of the sea through his celestial powers. The museum is in an ethnic style building in a compound full of large trees that provide shade and coolness. The gallery presents the rich and varied historic and cultural aspects of Kerala and gives you an understanding of the people, their ethos and lifestyle across the ages. The museum is open to guests from 10 am to 5 pm. Those who are interested in arts and paintings should certainly visit the MNF Gallery of Paintings and Sculptures and the Centre for Visual Arts as it presents paintings of M.F.Hussain, Jamini Roy, Manu Parekh, Raja Ravi Varma and Mammiyoor Krishnan Kutty Nair.
Malayattoor Church
Kerala has a rich history of Christianity and there are many historic and prominent churches that can be visited. Malayattor Church is an important church in Kerala which attracts thousands of visitors every year. The importance of the church is that it has the imprint of the foot of St.Thomas, the Apostle of Christ. It is believed that the Apostle came to Kerala to spread the word of God. The word Malayalattoor is a combination of three Malayalam words – Mala (mountain) Aaar (river) and Ooru (place). Malayattoor is also a pilgrim spot for Christians who throung the hills during the Malayattoor Perunnal – the annual festival during the months of April and May. The hill has a water spring which is believed to have miraculously appeared at the spot where St.Thomas was thirsty during prayers. The Church is dedicated to St. Thomas and is an internationally renowned and important Christian centre. Visitors can view artifacts related to the Apostle.The Andhakaranazhi Beach
If you wish to get away from the crowd and enjoy a lonely and lovely virgin beach that stretches for miles, head for Andhakaranazhi. The beach can be reached in a short scenic ride of 30 kms from Kochi towards Allappuzha. The beach is near Ezhapunna and is a fishing place with fishing villages and fishing boats lining the beach. You can watch fishermen getting ready with their nets and equipment before launching off to the sea. The waters around the beach is turbulent and hence the name. Those planning a houseboat trip from Kochi to Allapuzha can alight at the beach. It is also the finishing point of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. You can take a boat ride from Kumarakom to Andhakaranazhi beach.