FORT KOCHI -- Antique City.

On 22nd May, we started from Alleppey to Fort Kochi. We reached Fort Kochi by around 10.45 am. This is my 2nd visit to Kochi. But I love watching the Chinese Nets working. It goes down and comes up with lots & lots of fishes. Rhythmic working of these nets one after the other is a wonderful sight to watch.

Also there is a regular boat service for vehicle and passenger transport from Fort Kochi to Vypin Island and Willingdon Island, even lorries, big cars, vans, bikes and autos are transported in a boat.

Then we went to St.Francis CSI Church, which is one of the oldest European Churches in India, built in the year 1503. In this church alone, Vasco da Gama (a Portuguese, discovered sea route from Europe to India) was buried in 1524, after his death during his third visit to India. Later his son took his remains to Lisbon, after 14 years.

Another Oldest Church is Santa Cruz Basilica, built in th year 1558.

We then went to the Dutch Palace, otherwise, Mattancherry Palace, in Mattancherry built in the year 1555. It exhibits a large number of Murals, history about kochi, the Kings, who ruled in and around this area, their families, old articles, ornaments, spears, knives, and even the Pallakkus used by the Kings and the Queens of Dutch Palace.

Bhagawati Temple is situated by its side. Next to the Bhagawati Temple, one Synagogue is there. It is built in the year 1568.

Opposite to this palace, is the Mattancherry Boat Jetty and Mattancherry Market, the area is full of shops, displaying various products such as bead pens, big stone beads, earrings, dresses, sarees, strickers, magnets, hand made products and so on. Near this, there is one Police Museum.  

We then moved to Ernakulam and made few shoppings at Utsav sarees and Chennai Silks. Both are just opposite to each other.

After our lunch there in Ernakulam, we started to Chalakudy to stay there that night, as we have planned Athirapilly and an adventurous Athirappilly - Vaalparai Dense forest drive the next morning. Appa surely wanted to break at Chalakudy to have a good rest, as he is driving for so long.

On our way to Chalakudy, I have seen so many Rubber Plantations.

Those trees looked like a group of girls wearing mini skirts and standing in an orderly manner.... Some are single and some are layered skirts..... Beautiful in a way....