Ernakulam

My first solo vacation took me to Kochi / Cochin and Ernakumam in the south Indian state of Kerala. The early spice traders, whether from Spain, Portugal or Arabia, would have landed in this area. The Malaba coast in Kerala certainly bears witness to this history. Spice trade and rich agriculture gave rise to equally rich trading towns.

Ernakulam is an important transportation hub with easy access to the backwaters and the famous Fort Kochi. The Marine Drive Promenade offers breathtaking views of the sunset over the Vembanad Lake. With its shopping malls, restaurants and cultural offerings, Ernakulam is a must-visit destination in Kerala.

Here you can also easily take the metro and go out to Lulu Mall to get a different shopping view of India.

The brother of our friend who works as a doctor in Ernakulam had recommended a cheap budget hotel in MG Road near the harbor and I have to say, the choice was good. The hotel was a bit outdated, like so many in India, but the accommodation was good, there was a breakfast bistro and a restaurant for dinner (Hotel Dwarka, MG Road).
From here, I regularly take day trips to the Ernakulam waterfront, which is rather rare in India, but also to Vegetable Market.

Cochin

“Old Cochin” is located on an island off the coast of Ernakulam. A jetty (a kind of omnibus on the water) runs regularly from Ernakulam to Cochin. The regular trip is worthwhile, as Cochin is home to Vasco da Gama’s burial church, as well as historically significant buildings and places, such as the Jewish quarter, and so on.
The stall with the Chinese fishing nets is also recommended.

And, yes, there are European cafés here too. In case you ever feel the need for a cappuccino.

A special highlight in Cochin is the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, an international art festival that presents contemporary art from all over the world. This biennial event attracts artists, curators and art lovers and transforms historic buildings and public spaces into exhibition venues.

Backwaters

If you are in Cochin, you should definitely take a boat tour to and through the backwaters. This is an extensive network of tranquil rivers, lakes and canals. These picturesque waterways stretch along the coast and offer a unique landscape characterized by lush greenery and traditional village life. One of the best ways to experience the backwaters is on a houseboat, which allows for a relaxed exploration of the area.

I chose the state tourist office for this, had to wait two days and was then rewarded with a great excursion in a small group (there were four of us). The water biotope, which is actually only accessible by boat, is a dream, even today.
It is a jungle area that is definitely inhabited. Coconut products, spices and fishing are the main sources of income here. For us tourists, it is an almost unlimited flood of impressions.

And if I’m not mistaken, I also saw the first wild cobra in my life here. Only very briefly, because it immediately scurried away, but still.