Namaskaram! Have
you been to India lately? Well, I’ve been to India several times be it for work
or my personal trip. However, my recently trip to Kerala, God’s Own Country for 18 days under Kerala Blog Express has changed my perspective towards life and
many things. Kochi is known as
"Gateway to Kerala," so my
trip started in Kochi and I’m glad that AirAsia
flies to and from Kuala Lumpur Kochi on daily basis. From Kochi, I travelled
to Alappuzha, Thekkady, Munar, Suryanelli,
Athirappilly, Palakkad, Wayanad, Vythiri, Kasaragod, Kollam, Trivandrum, Kovallam
and then back to Kochi after 18 days. Lots of travelling huh… now I can’t wait
to share so many experiences with you.
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Explore Kochi The Gateway to Kerala
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Let’s get it
started! My Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi via AirAsia was just 4 hours. It
was a short flight, pleasant one and I managed to take a nap then I arrived on
time at Cochin International Airport. Well, I love to travel via AirAsia coz
they have many flights to many destinations in India such as Chennai, Tiruchirappalli,
Kolkata, and Hyderabad as of now. Hopefully there will be more new routes to
India because I plan to go to Madurai soon.
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| The Stay: Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty |
The Stay: Grand Hyatt
Kochi Bolgatty
Aha! You know I stayed
at Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty omg… the hotel so luxe and I wish I can stayed
there for more days. It’s a luxury waterfront hotel on Bolgatty Island, Kochi.
The Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty is a waterfront urban resort overlooking the
backwaters of Vembanad Lake, we even took the sunset cruise from the city back
to the hotel.
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| The Festival: Holi Festival in India |
The Festival: Holi
Festival in India
Happy Holi! It was my first time celebrating Holi Festival
India such a wonderful and colorful experience to kick start the trip. Holi is an
annual Hindu festival popularly known as the Indian "festival of
spring", the "festival of colours", or the "festival of
love" which is celebrated in India and Nepal during spring where
participants throw colored water, or powder at each other.
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| Things To Do in Kochi: Visit Spice Road @ Fort Kochi |
The festival
signifies the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love, and
for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and
repair broken relationships. Ahhh… a meaning one. So if you miss the Holi
festival this year, do catch the next one on 9th to 10th
of March, 2020.
Things To Do in Kochi
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| Chinese Fishing Net @ Fort Kochi |
Chinese Fishing Net @ Fort Kochi
This is the place
you must visit when you are in Kochi, best time to visit is during sunset. The
iconic Chinese Fishing Nets is one of Kochi's most recognizable sight. Chinese
fishing nets were introduced by the chinese around 700 years ago, operate
mainly during high tide.
Well, about 6 people work in a net and they dip and
rise the net around 300 times every day. They can make a living out of it, that’s
why this method of fishing is surviving even today.
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| Chinese Fishing Net @ Fort Kochi |
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| St. Francis Church @ Fort Kochi |
St. Francis Church @ Fort Kochi
Well you can also
find churches in Kerala, St. Francis Church is believed to be the oldest
European-built church in India and its located close to Princess Street. However,
it's most famous for the fact that it was once the burial site of explorer
Vasco de Gama, who died in Kochi in 1524 before his remains were taken back to
Portugal. Details http://stfranciscsichurch.com/
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| Spices, Princess Street & Jew Street in Matancherry @ Fort Kochi |
Spices, Princess Street & Jew Street in Matancherry
@ Fort Kochi
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| Spices, Princess Street & Jew Street in Matancherry @ Fort Kochi |
Between
Mattancherry Dutch Palace and the Pardesi Jewish Synagogue, is a quaint area
known as Jew Town. It's the center of the spice trade in Kochi, we spent some
time wandering through the colourful streets and lanes, and exploring some of the
antique stores.
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| The Arts: Muziris Biennale |
The Arts: Muziris Biennale
Muziris Biennale is
the only Biennale in India that happen every 2 year once, and so happen I was
there at that time. Kochi Biennale Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust
engaged in promoting art & culture and educational activities in India.
Primary amongst them the hosting of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, an art
exhibition and festival that is the largest of its kind in South Asia. The
fourth edition of the Biennale will run from 12 December, 2018 until 29 March,
2019. Details http://kochimuzirisbiennale.org/
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| The Arts: Muziris Biennale |
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| The Cultural: Kathakali Performance |
The Cultural: Kathakali Performance
Kathakali is a
classical ancient dance-drama form originated from Kerala. The Kathakali
dancers is well known for its fascinating and colorful face painting and costumes.
The dance form presents themes and
stories that are derived from Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana as well as
many other folk stories. The Kathakali Center in Kochi runs regular
performances as well as offers a backstage look at the artists as they prepare
for the classical dance events. Details http://www.kathakalicentre.com/
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| Explore Kochi The Gateway to Kerala via AirAsia |
So here are some of
the fun and experiences I had in Kochi. Later I’m going to take to my next destinations in Kerala such as exploring the backwaters in Alappuzha, Thekkady Periyar National Park, Tea Plantations in Munar, Trekking in Suryanelli,
Athirappilly Waterfall, Cultural Vilage in Palakkad, Eco Stay in Wayanad, Nature
Walk in Vythiri, Drive in Beach in Kasaragod, Jatayu Earth Center in Kollam, Trivandrum,
Kovallam and many many more...
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Kerala Blog Express Trip of a Lifetime
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So be sure to keep an eye on sunshinekelly.com for my updates
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| AirAsia has daily flights to and from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi |
Thanks to AirAsia
for sponsoring my flight for Kerala Blog
Express trip. If you wish to explore Kerala,
you can start your journey in Kochi because it the Gateway to Kerala. There are so many incredible places, people, nature,
wildlife, cuisine, and even ayurveda to dicover in Kerala.
AirAsia has daily flights to and from Kuala Lumpur to
Kochi
at a very reasonable price and it only take 4 hours. For more information about
the flight details please visit AirAsia https://www.airasia.com
Related Post About Kerala, India:
I penah sampai new delhi agra dan kashmir.. sini tak pernah lagi. nampak menarik lah. cuma makan kat sana tak berani sbb perut tak tahan
ReplyDeleteI love love the view in Kerala, its stunning! But I just wathed in Hindi movies so I have never been there. You're so lucky have the experience to celebrate Holi there.
ReplyDeletetak pernah lagi lah kelly pergi india..tapi my hubby ada plan nak pergi sana..i like what hahaha..u know india kan very crowded..tapi i think banyak tempat yang menarik juga..mcm kashmir kochi and many more..
ReplyDeletebestnya kelly pergi sana. menarik jugak tempat negara india & paling penting cantik suasana tu. nak ootd pun nice. teringin nak pergi travel ke india
ReplyDeletewahhh..untungnya dapat pergi ke kerala...india salah satu tempat yang banyak sejarah..dah pernah pergi india di chennai..lps ni bolehlah i pergi kerala plk
ReplyDeleteIndia ni ada dalam wish list travel i, tapi masih di dalam list tak plan lagi nak pergi bila? nampak nice tempat-tempat yang u pergi.. cantik semua pic yang u share, buat tak sabar i nak pergi.. enjoy holiday!
ReplyDeleteSis dah pernah ke Kerala. Sis dapat bermalam kat houseboat 2 malam, tgok chinese fishing net n bermalam di tea plantation. Dpt ke class memasak lagi di sana. Makanan sana mmg sis suka. Rasa nak ke sana lagi
ReplyDeleteThe view is so stunning. It must be a great experience to go there.
ReplyDeleteNot in my list to go to India.. but when i read your entry make me want to visit India..espevially spice street tu.. memang fav sebab i suka masak..
ReplyDeleteOhh here's the place where U goes to wipe out the wounds to your hand heheheheh but it looks like pretty much where the hotel is luxurious hehehee we never come here again to go too later ...
ReplyDeleteWow! I love reading your travels - and now you make me wanna go there too. And it is not so far - only fours flight. Perhaps I will travel there for Holi next year.
ReplyDeleteSyok la Kelly dapat sampai ke negara india.. TB jarang dengar pasal Nama Kerala ni.. yang biasa dengar Kashmir, Bombay, New Delhi, Agra dan apa lagi tu.. huhu.. Tapi lepas baca entri ni baru lah tahu ada Kerala ni.. menarik juga ni utnuk dilawati
ReplyDeleteBestnya kelly dah sampai ke india.
ReplyDeleteDapat tengok tempat yang cantik cantik kat sana.
Beruntung tau, boleh juga selami budaya mereka disana.
18hari ye kelly disana. Lama juga tu.