Cochin Calling 1: Arrival, hammock time and some plans

By Rahul Banerji

Cochin, or Kochi as it is more formally known, has been on the radar for a long time. God’s Own Country has always had a special appeal, and it is finally time to say “hello”.

It is the middle of February and steaming hot here. While Delhi is still seeing winter off, Kerala doesn’t seem to have had one and temperatures are already in the thirties.

Not surprisingly walking out of the CIAL, Cochin’s shiny airport terminal, is like getting hit by a humid hammer.

Fortunately, we are right on the shores of the Arabian Sea. A massive rock wall stands between our digs and the rumbling waves, while the ever-present breeze allows us to absorb the change in temperatures.

Helping greatly is the place itself, Sea Hut Homestay, and its outdoorsy ambiance. Big trees stand over the sandy compound and hammocks are invitingly strung up in the shade.

Gentle comedown

Swinging gently in the breeze with patches of sunlight bursting through overhead is a quick ticket to comfortable acclimatisation.

By day 2, things are better and the feet beginning to get itchy. Golf is very much on the programme but before that, there is some exploring to be done.

Almost all of Kerala has a long history, of maritime trade and visitors from afar. Jews fleeing Roman persecution in Palestine found a home in Cochin.

Thomas the Apostle visited the near-mythical settlement of Muziris near Cochin in the first century of the Christian Era. Many hundreds of years later, famed Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama died here on his third visit.

The kingdom of Cochin, with its deep roots in Hinduism, dates back to the early 12^th century, with many of its stories and past well-preserved and recounted.

 Consequently, there is a great deal to see and experience in this central part of Kerala.

And of course, there is the food. More of that another time.

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