What to do in Cochin or Kochi?

Kochi or Cochin has 3 segments:

1. Ernakulam, local town
2. Wellington island,  settled by the British and houses Indian Navy today (click for info)
3. Old Cochin or Fort Cochin (click for info)

Did you know that Fort Kochi has no fort? It is just a particular area in Old Cochin!

Besides chilling in a mall near our hotel, this is what our Kochi or Cochin expedition looked like:

The Chinese nets at fort Kochi 
(click here for more info)
The story is that the Chinese premier came to Kochi and was surprised to see the nets in action, for in China these nets are no longer operational! So China decided to be the caretaker for the nets! 
That's what the guide told us in any case... There are fishermen who explain how the nets work. 

Chinese nets

If you don't mind wading through the commercial atmosphere of the nets area and walk on the promenade, you reach a lovely quaint fort Kochi beach with cafes strewn around. The benches are laid out strategically, beckoning you to simply - rest. 

Fort Kochi beach

Walk a little more and you reach the Dutch cemetery. 
Ethereal and quiet as all cemeteries are, this one is closed for public. 

Cemetery

Gate of cemetery

 Dutch palace (click for info)

Interestingly, I discovered that the foreigners and Indians pay the same entry price, Rs 5! Some difference from other cities indeed. Also, though photography is prohibited in many monuments in different cities, here the care takers were alert enough to actually watch over us, the bratty Delhiites. Too bad - for the interiors are lovely! The murals from Ramayana merge with the poetic architecture of the Dutch beautifully!

"Is this the palace?", asked me, used to palatial palaces.

"Yes...for the Dutch this was it.", said our patient guide.

Dutch Palace

St Francis church 
(click for info)

The legacy of the Portugese, this is a small church. Famous for the remains of Vasco da Gama that were resting here for 14 years. 
The building is beautiful, even though smaller by comparison. 

Church 1

Church 2

Church 3

The Jew Town

(Click for more info)

I have been waiting for years to visit the synagogue here and wasn't disappointed. Too bad the interior pictures were not allowed! Turkish style blue tiles on the floor and the Torah behind the curtain. The small synagogue had a peaceful atmosphere beckoning one to simply sit and experience it! 

Reading about the atrocities on the jews, a spontaneous prayer escaped my heart - 

"On behalf of the entire humanity, I apologize.". 

I hope it was heard. 

I hope it healed. 

The town is called JewTown, but looks more like the Kashmiri town, for the number of shops and the sellers! Nice to walk around...and bargain!

Streets of the town

  Perhaps you realize it is different only for the frequent Shalom written on the shops. If it wasn't for that, one would feel one is in any town any where!

Shalom! by kashmiris

Synagogue at the end of the street

Something about cemeteries attracts me. The peace and silence and the reminder that we all will end there! 

"They are all sleeping there, what will you do?", 

asked a young chap when I asked where the Jew cemetery was!

"It is closed for public, for if it is open, kids come to play cricket inside", said another!

Cemetery through the gate

Cemetery when you take your hand inside for a click!

Cemetery gate