Visit the historical sites in Mattancherry /Fort Kochi - Jew Town , Jewish synagogue, St. Francis church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Vasco House, Dutch Palace , Fort Kochi beach, Chinese fishing nets and watch the sunset.

Swim at Cherai beach and take in the fishing villages, paddy fields and coconut groves and sip the juice of a tender coconut.

Visit museums and art galleries - Museum of Kerala History , Gallery of Contemporary Art, Hill Palace museum and Chaithram Art Gallery Shop for curios, handicraft and clothes along MG Road and Broadway View a Kathakali performance Take a course of relaxing Ayurvedic massage at one of the leading Ayurvedic hospitals or your hotel, if such a service is available Take a brief boat-ride along the scenic backwaters of Cochin . For extended period, hire a kettuvallom (houseboat) and spend a few nights on board slowly travelling up the tranquil backwaters and having freshly cooked meals prepared with freshly caught fish.

Visit some of the temples that form an indelible part of many Kochiites life (Note: some temples might be open only to Hindus) Spend a few days in the hill resorts at Thekkady , Munnar or stay in a tree house, up north in Wayanad district.

Wildlife/bird spotting at Mangalavanam , Kodanad , Kumarakom , Thattekad or Thekkady Children and adults alike might like a visit to South India 's largest amusement park - Veega Land Kerela is a safe travel destination. Political disruption is usually localised and everyone's aware of there being potential trouble days ahead. Cases of mugging, theft and worse aren't completely unheard of but by and large serious crimes against travellers are few and far between.

Basic precautions:

1) Keep your money and travel documents close to your body (perhaps in a pouch slung around your neck, tucked out of sight under your shirt),

2) Keep several photocopies of your passport, insurance, travellers ' cheques etc. scattered through your luggage,

3) Do not use a waist pouch, it may as well be a transparent plastic bag: it's that fragile and that obvious!

4) Do not put all your money in one place,

5) Be extremely alert in the dark. One of the things that protect travellers to India is the vast crowds in any place. The multitudes however, disappear into their homes at night, and you go from having a huge thick safety quilt to a flimsy sheet! Try your best to be in a familiar area when it gets dark. If you are not, at least know how you can get to that area from wherever it is that you happen to be.

6) Many women travellers wear the long tunic and loose pyjama dress of Indian women called the salwar-kameez and find that it substantially dissuades unwanted male attention.

7) If you are travelling alone, do not advertise it.

8) If you lose your passport lodge a First Information Report at the local police station and contact your embassy.


                         It's hopefully been a great tour of town.