kochi

Kochi or Cochin is also known as the "the Queen of the Arabian Sea". It is a natural harbour and consists of a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake. Some of these picturesque islands are Bolgatty, Vypeen, Gundu and Vallarpadam. The lake opens out into the Arabian Sea here to form one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Cochin is the starting point of many backwater cruises. Cochin port is famous for its spices, exported to the west from ancient times to the present day. The Jewish Synagogue, Fort Cochin, The Mattancherry Palace built by the Dutch and St Francis Church are popular tourist attractions in Cochin. Cochin is also the industrial and commercial capital of Kerala. Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters in Kochi. Half the fun of visiting Kochi backwaters is moving around on the local ferries through the backwaters. A conducted cruise through the backwaters of Kochi will take you to several quaint spots.