Day 1 in Kochi: My Random and Colorful Clicks

My Trip To Kochi!

 

Last Monday I wrote this blog post ‘ You and I ought to be Responsible drivers’ for #Roadsafety as part of a blogging contest organized by Nissan India via Indiblogger. More than talking about statistics, I chose to create a poem because I have always felt that this issue needs a behavioral change at our individual levels. A large number of people lose their life on roads due to their own negligence even though they know all the safety rules. 

 

To my happiness, I won the contest. I was one among the five bloggers who were flown to Kochi by Nissan team to participate in its global initiative, #NSDF, Nissan Safety Driving Forum.  I loved the prize because not only it gave me a chance to participate in a road safety drive as big as this one but also I got to experience the beauty of God’s own country, Kerala. (It was my first visit here)

 

Nissan Safety Driving Forum 

 

The Nissan event was a great success and I would say they are doing a great job by raising road safety awareness in India. I bet if you take that 360-degree simulator, you will never forget to wear your seat belt. (More on this in my next post) After doing rounds in Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Vadodara, Nagpur, Chennai, Mangalore this initiative finally reached Lulu Mall in Kochi on 21st December, the last one for this year. I brought back great learning from NSDF as well as some amazing clicks for the keepsake.

 

If you are looking for a holiday to Kochi, check for ‘Kerala Tour Packages.’

 

 

I traveled with Rahul Rathore, another winner from Delhi. It was my fourth trip this year where I traveled with a blogger.  We had met for the first time but when we returned on the second day, we were already friends. Believe me, bloggers who love to read, write, blog, travel, update on social media, talk about dreams, passion, books make interesting co-passengers.

 

On day 1 we reached the airport by 12 in the afternoon and the rest of the day was meant for sightseeing. Day 2 was supposed to be the NSDF day. (In the next post will blog about it) So after checking in Dream Hotel and taking lunch, we decided to hit the city. There was a cab with us and its driver who had worked with CRPF before introduced us to the city pretty well.

First places he showed us were Jew Street, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry in Old part of the city and then took us around Marine Drive in the late evening.

 

 

Local Art and craft shop at Jew Street

 

Spice shop

 

We were disappointed to find the Jew Synagogue closed (it being a Saturday), but the Jew street came out to be very colorful and fascinating to the eyes. I loved clicking picturesque Kerala through its artifacts. Spice shops and antique shops were lined on both sides of the streets.

 

Dutch Palace

 

The Mattancherry Palace is a Portuguese palace, also called Dutch Palace. This Palace has an entry fee of Rs. 5 and in the inside it contains paintings and information about Rajas of Kochi. There are two temples in its vicinity too.

 

Kochi Tourist Boating Center opposite Dutch Palace

 

Streets of Old Cochin

 

Adjacent to Mattancherry or just 1.5 km away is Fort Kochi. The walk around Fort Kochi Area was a lovely experience. It can be best seen on foot. The buildings, streets , greenery, beach, churches, open cafes, hotels show us influence of more than one culture.

 

Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Fort Kochi

 

The Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Fort Kochi is one of the finest and most visited church of India.

 

Chinese fishing net (cheenavala) at Fort Kochi beach

 

People enjoying Saturday evening at Fort Kochi Beach

 

Wall painting captured opposite the Fort Kochi Beach

 

 

One of the boats at Marine drive Kochi

 

Marine Drive Kochi in the night

 

Antique shops of Jew Town, Fort Kochi were great fun.  Let me know have you traveled to Kochi and whats your favorite place in Kochi.