Kochi 2023

Kochi or Cochin is one of the largest port cities in the west coast of India. This city is famous for its stunning landscapes of backwaters and the Arabian sea. It is also home to some of the oldest and most diverse cultural landmarks such as the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth of nations - the Paradesi Synagogue established in the 1500s, the famous Portuguese St. Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was temporarily buried. Kochi is home to many ancient temples such as Chotanikara, Eranakulam Shiva Temple and several Mosques. It truly represents India's rich and diverse cultural history and traditions.

We stayed at the Taj Malabar, in Wellington Island. This is palace now managed as a hotel by the Taj group, a stunning site surrounded by backwaters. We enjoyed the sunset ferry ride and captured a few pictures that reflect the character of this lovely city. The famous fishing nets - Chinivala, the fishing boats set the stage for a stunning sunset by the sea!

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Kerala is the spice capital of India - visit to Kochi is incomplete without shopping for spices. I captured couple of close ups of the spice rack in Ernakulam. Fort Kochi had some interesting shops - Shalom selling western and traditional Kerala clothing.

A visit to India Coffee House in Kochi is a must - we got there during the busy lunch hour to get some vegetable cutlets. We were amazed by the waiters, taking orders from many customers and delivering the food very precisely and quickly - without a notepad or any electronic devices!