Fort Kochi - Dutch Palace, Chinese Fishing Nets and Cherai Beach

On 17th morning we woke up late (around 8:00 am) had idlis again for breakfast at our apartment and headed out to Fort Kochi. Again ‘Destinator’ took us to the wrong Jew Street in Ernakulam and we had to do a u-turn and go another 7 miles west to Fort Kochi through the morning traffic. We first visited the Dutch palace and believe me I was amazed by the murals … especially the ones where Lord Krishna was multi-tasking with the gopis. Ooomph!

Peak hour morning traffic in Kochi








Then we walked down Jew Street till we came to Yousuf’s … a quaint little place where one can get good home cooked food. Try the vanilla milk shake. They use real vanilla beans instead of the synthetic flavors. The trick is to use ½ a bean in a glass of milk (about 250 ml). Splendid! We also reserved our seats for the 3-hour boat ride on the backwaters for the following day – 18th May. Mr. Mansoor, the owner is a friendly person and the food at Yousuf’s is great! His mother and sister prepare food in the kitchen upstairs.

Chinese Fishing Nets @ Kochi

We then drove down to the sea shore to take a look at the ‘Chinese fishing nets’. I was very curious about what that meant. Could have been fishing nets ‘Made in China’ or real Chinese people casting their nets. Eventually I found that the ‘technique’ of fishing is Chinese. A huge structure (approximately 50 feet high) is erected. Five people tug on ropes and the nets are heaved up based on the theory of counter balances. An interesting technique indeed!

Siddharth has just returned from China with a masters in Fishing.

Then we took the ferry to Vypin island, from where we drove on to Cherai beach. The water is clean and the beach is pretty safe. The beach obviously is much cleaner compared to the ones we have in Maharashtra. No plastic! No litter! The people here are much disciplined. Education does make quite a difference. Saiee had a great time chasing the waves and letting them chase her. On the way back to our hotel we stopped at Varkeys to get some snacks and stuff. Dinner at Prashanth in Tripunithura. End of day 3.


Warm sunset at Cherai beach








Siddharth and Saiee flying a kite