A hotel that’s also a centuries-old European mansion? Yes, that’s Rositta Wood Castle, built in 1706. The hotel is located in the heritage zone in fort Cochin. Standing on the Rose Street, it is very close to all the tourist sites and attractions of the city. There are AC and non-AC rooms available. There’s 24-hour room service and internet facility. The rooms and lounge have
Right next to the Parade Ground in Fort Kochi, facing an open space and sprawling into the streets is David Hall, one section of a three-part 300-year-old Dutch bungalow. It is an art gallery and a café, both rolled into one. The white-washed building was once home to Dutch commander Hendrik Adriaan Van Reede Tot Drakestein who is best known for his ‘Hortus Malabaricus’,... Read More
Cycling is healthy. It is interesting still when you do it for pleasure. Fort Kochi - with its wide streets - is a paradise for bikers and cyclists. A lot of tourists and travellers opt to go about Fort Kochi by cycle. You can view the life of the city at close hand. And, of course, there is no stopping the fresh air! All you need is a cycle... Read More
Road rallies thrill us, and bike rallies take us to a newer high. But an autorickshaw run? Well, this humble three-wheeler is totally out to change the way you think about rallies and races. Adventure is the key word. Barring age, sex and any other characteristics, this ‘race’ is out for the young – the young at heart, that is!... Read More
Travelling to Fort Cochin from any part of Ernakulam or nearby areas is easy. Roads and waterways connect it very well to them. The best option is to take a ferry from Ernakulam Jetty. You can enjoy this half-an-hour ride on the boat with just a five-rupee ticket! And to think you’ll get to see so many sights! And the government has proposed to introduce 40 more boats this year.... Read More
Fort Cochin is a great place to spend your evenings. Well, if you aren't already acquainted with the town, here's what all you can do there in the evening.The Fort Cochin Beach is a rocky one, with pathways and stone cut walkways on the beach side. Take a walk and enjoy the sea breeze. You can see small boats and trawlers bringing in their catch of fish to the shore. If that isn't enough, head to the many... Read More
The Koders moved to Cochin from Iraq a few centuries ago. Samuel Koder, who ran the Cochin Electric Company, built this stunning three-storeyed building, intended for his three sons. Only Satu Koder, one of his sons, and his wife Gladys, lived here. Satu was the Pardesi Synagogue’s warden for 40 years. It is now taken care of by his son-in-law, Sammy Hallegua.... Read More
Credited with ‘finding’ India and the maritime route to the East, this Portuguese explorer adept at mathematics, astronomy and navigation, first landed in India in 1498, at Calicut. He was born in 1460 or 1469. Dom Vasco da Gama held the title of 1st Count of Vidigueira, and did so without being born of royal blood. His father, Estêvão da Gama, was rich nobility of Portugal.... Read More
The similarity between the words ‘Cochin’ and ‘China’ is an obvious one. The Chinese came to Cochin in the 14th century. That was the time when Kodungallur lost its importance as a port and trade centre, and Cochin gained its position. Upon their visit the Chinese remarked that the then Cochin resembled China. And so the name: ‘Co-Chin’, meaning ‘like China.... Read More
