Tourists will find this an interesting place to hangout in the evenings. Sunsets are beautiful here. Especially when the fishermen are catching fish using the Chinese Fishing Nets. It forms a good background on many a day.

Photography has much scope here. The gentle beach ans its surroundings are perfect for a few snaps. Especially if you’ve got your friends and family with you. The colonial bungalows, quaint streets, handicraft shops and stalls all add to the charm.

The Courtyard restaurant serves freshly-prepared sea food dishes. It is set in the open courtyard, the walls over three centuries old. The ambience is homely and cozy. They also serve traditional dishes, exotic Italian pastas, and choicest desserts. Dinner here is accompanied by live concert and cultural programmes. Come and enjoy.

There are many things to do in Fort Cochin. Walk over to the Chinese Fishing Nets, go for a cruise, visit centuries-old churches and
buildings. Many spices and handicraft shops line the many streets of Fort Cochin. They are a delight to just look at, even if you do not wanna purchase anything!

The hotel is known for its impeccable hospitality and personalised attention offered to you by the well trained and ever friendly. You can avail of the laundry, money changing and travel desk facilities.

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Kodungalloor-based Kottapuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS), the organization that sold bags and tablemats from water hyacinth, also had products made from natural fibres such as banana, palm leaf, screwpine, paddy straw and jute. A star attraction was the Oyster Festival, held by CGH Earth along with the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and the Kudumbasree. The visitors could watch and learn about oysters in seawater and how they are processed.

The ‘thorthu’, a thin, wafery native version of a towel, was sold by Kara. These are much in demand abroad – quite useful as they dry faster than the thicker ones. The CGH had set up a miniature paper recycling unit. Here, old newspapers were recycled – the paper is first shredded, and then mixed with natural fibrous materials like pineapple stalk. The manually-operated press is fed with the pulp. Later, it is dried and made into sheets of paper. At Spice Village, a CGH resort, there’s a full-time press where women recycle paper. The entire hotel’s stationery is made up of this recycled paper.

Emmanuelle Faussart Odye is a French artist settled in Kochi, and a follower of the recycling art movement. She displayed recycled plastic toys at the event – a neat spaceship whose parts were a Harpic bottle, hairbrush comb and bottle caps. She doesn’t even glue as it is a chemical. Instead, the toys are held in place by used bottle things and knick-knacks.

What most people stopped at was EarthCafe – not another exhibition of art, rather the art of good food, if you wanna call it that. Fresh seafood was served in varieties of flavours and smells. Oysters were the specialty. You could also pick up a plate of prawns, stir-fried seafood, sardine kebabs and others.

Such festivals add colour to the gallery. People who visit the place can learn about Dutch architecture and culture, too.

Cycling also gives you the opportunity of interacting with the local population. Whether it is visiting a temple, findings bungalows or attending a cultural program, it is possible if you’re moving about on a cycle.

All the place of interest in Fort Kochi, such as the churches, temples, old bungalows and museums, are reachable by cycle.

The hotel has six luxury suites, each a mighty 800sq.ft in area. There are two suites on each floor, attended by a hospitable valet. The teak floors, ceiling and stairwell show off the antique appeal of the past. Each suite has a swish and swanky bedroom, a lounge and a leisure area. A spacious balcony overlooks the Chinese Fishing Nets and the park downstairs.

The allure that you cannot refuse is the multi-cuisine restaurant on the ground floor. Although Jewish cuisine is the standard fare here, you can taste everything from spicy Kerala curries to Middle Eastern and Continental cuisine. Adjacent to the restaurant is a lounge and a swimming pool. Check out the Serena Spa for a refreshing option to relax yourself.

The hotel has a well-equipped business centre, internet facilities, library and a beer lounge, with a central balcony. A hotel that serves you better than your expectations, Koder House is right here in the heart of Fort Cochin.

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Built with materials such as brick, lime, wood and terracotta, its décor has been maintained to this day. The tiled forecourt, arches, spacious lobby and the corridors take us back to an era of pomp and glory. The reception area leads to a lounge overhung with punkahs (fans of Portuguese origin), then on to a billiard table. Around the corner is an English tea room. You can see ancient Dutch maps on a wall, and on another, a small navigation device, and in the courtyard, an ancient anchor.

Plunge into the hotel’s pool on a sunny day, or read a book by the sea waters. Even better, go for a swim at the Fort Kochi beach! If you wanna go boating, the hotel’s crew will get you a cruise. Really. One that you can board from the hotel’s private jetty.

The hotel’s 22 rooms overlook the sea, and so do the en-suite bathrooms! You can choose from regular rooms, or the stately Harbour suites. The beds are comfy and plush – just what you need after a hectic of travel or shopping.

The History Restaurant serves delectable cuisine – from coastal Malabari fare and Kerala’s Syrian Christian dishes to spicy, mouthwatering ones passed down from generations in the state. Occasionally, there are cuisines from other parts of the world for the tourists to try their hand at.

The Armoury Bar, too, looks out on to the harbour. Watch dolphins dancing by on the water as you sip in your evening drink. For the teetotalers there’s a selection of fine teas. You can find Portuguese breastplates and musketry for company, at the bar!

The hotel is easily reachable from the city and around. There are heritage structures, art galleries, churches, temples and others nearby.

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In the lobby of the Anchor House hangs a grandfather clock, a mute witness to the passage of a century. This luxurious hotel offers super deluxe and suite rooms. There is laundry facility as well as washing machines in the rooms. Mini bar and geysers are other facilities in the rooms. The interiors of the hotel are decorated with globe lamps from Rajasthan, bamboo furniture from the north, and an exquisite antique lamp from neighboring Jew town.

There are three different restaurants at Anchor House. Sitting at the waterfront cafe on the first floor, and the open air restaurant right by the waterfront on the ground floor, it’s easy to see why Anchor House held the charm for generations of seafarers.

For those who wanna sweat it out, there’s a health club and gym manned by trained personnel. There are also facilities such as sauna, steam bath and a massage centre. Whether it’s a soothing massage after a hectic day or just a relaxing foot massage, we have it all.

The hotel also boasts of a children’s play area, car park, money transfer, art gallery, business centre and driver’s rooms on the premises. The travel desk will be happy to arrange backwater and sunset cruises for tourists.

The hotel follows eco-friendly practices such as solar water heater, water treatment plants, sewage management, biogas plant and rainwater harvesting. The organic garden, too, is a pride. The Killians believes in responsible tourism, and it surely shows on their conduct.

You can enjoy yourself with breakfast in bed, newspaper at your door, quick laundry service, relaxing Ayurvedic treatment and efficient room service. The restaurant, Lily Grace serves typical South Indian culinary delicacies to mouth watering exotic dishes. There are also a variety of snacks and savouries to choose from. If the weather is not too nasty, our outdoor area can also be arranged for dining.

If you’re looking for a venue to relax, cheer up. You’re at the right place. Ayurvedic massages and treatments are carried out at the Ayurvedic centre at The Killians by highly qualified and experienced Ayurvedic doctors and personnel. You should allow at least a week’s treatment for it to be completely effective.

The hotel will also take care of guests’ airport transfers, travel packages and other requirements. There is also a banquet hall and conference halls for conducting parties and functions. You also have 24-hour internet as well video conferencing facilities.

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Tissa’s Inn is a boutique hotel housed in a mansion that once belonged to the erstwhile Adv. V.K. Hamza, a lawyer and philanthropist. Tissa’a Inn has nine AC rooms, a 24-seater restaurant serving fresh seafood, Indian and Continental style, an open-to-the-sky swimming pool on the deck, a yoga and meditation centre.

The Inn is just walking distance from the Chinese fishing nets, Fort Cochin Beach, Dutch cemetery, St. Francis Church and is a short drive from Jew Street and Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Located at Kunnumpuram junction, it affords convenient access to transport, banks, shops, restaurants and money exchanges.

Tissa’s Inn is owned by Johny L. Malayil of Crafters Antiques and Tissa Johny, who presented the World’s Largest Varpu. They are one of the best antique dealers in Cochin, with showrooms filled with tastefully picked out artifacts. The hotel offers city tours, boat rides and many other facilities. It even shares its own part in responsible tourism with its own sewage treatment plant and solar energy project.

The restaurant at Tissa’s Inn, Jackfruit Tree, serves seafood that is laid on the table for you within minutes of being caught, marinated and cooked in spices. Pick a plate of the Trio Fish, a variety of succulent seer fish fillets. The first is mixed with hot and spicy Kerala masala, the second in mild yet aromatic Mediterranean herbs and the third in a simple lemon butter garlic infusion and served with mashed potatoes and buttered vegetables. Now isn’t that something!

Hot and Spicy Prawn is another favourite. Tiger prawns marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, Indian spices and grilled to perfection. The seafood platter is a delight – lobster, tiger prawn, scampi, squid and fish fillets in a marinade of your choice.

For those who would like to watch cultural programmes, go for Ayurvedic massages and visit nearby places of interest, the homestay’s owners will arrange them.

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If you thought ricks are meant only for the roads, think again. This half-a-horsepower machine is for the off-roads. From deserts and barren land to the lagoons and the hills, it’s all-terrain all the way.

Started in 2006, the Run has three, two-week sessions annually. People fly in to drive this mad machine all over the Indian subcontinent. The best part is the ‘un-route’. It is like this: the organisers give you a 5,000km route with a beginning and an end. What you o in the middle of the route is entirely up to you! The adventure is yours to decide. It gives you the freedom to do what you want, as well as enjoy the ride. For example, this year’s Spring Rickshaw Run is from Cochin to Gangtok. Between the two destinations what you do is your concern. The team that first makes it to Gangtok wins.

Each Rickshaw Run is kicked off and closed off with a massive party and ceremony followed by a game of cricket against the locals. In order to be a part of the Run, you need to raise £1000 for the official charity. It is distributed among various charities in India.

The rules of the Run are simple: You’re on your own. If you’re stuck somewhere, the ‘unstucking’ part is done by you yourself. No support trucks there! And, you need to return the ricks after the Run; that means if you damage them, you gotta pay for that, too. The Don’t-Come-if-You’re-a-Wimp rule is a good enough one. It might not exactly be the perfect, oh-so-sweet holiday you and your spouse have been looking forward to. So this run is outta bounds for the lil wimps. Make sure you’re ready to be stinky and sticky, and can be on the road for two weeks. Need to get your nails dirty and your palms muddy!

The organisers, The Adventurists is run by the League of Adventurists International Ltd, an award winning company based in the UK with branches around the world. A force for global mischief and global good one might say. They’ve won the Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2007 for being a sustainable organisation with a clear social purpose.

The Adventurists are also crazy about rallies in other parts of the world, too. So if you think you’ve explored India, grab one of their other offers.

Also read www.rickshawrun.com