The month of December is filled with merriment, happiness and beauty everywhere. And Kochi celebrates this month perfect! So want to indulge in that beauty a little more? Then hop to Fortkochi where celebrations are at its best! Fortkochi is renowned as a bowl of cultures with a huge population of Anglo-Indians, North-Indians, and people from various parts of the globe, who are settled her since the British era and even after that. Hence, you can see a beautiful Fortkochi decorated everywhere with glittering stars, lively Christmas trees, happy people everywhere, and more. A lovely way to welcome 2013!

Fortkochi also plays host to events like the Cochin Carnival, which is just a few days away, and various parties hosted by hotels. The crowd has blended perfectly with the celebrations and merriment everywhere. With the ongoing Kochi Muziris Biennale adding an extra charm to Fortkochi, make sure you make a stop here.

Evenings are usually colorful this season with music and tourists, all in one place. The gothic buildings that remind one of the British era is a sight you wouldn’t want to miss. Maybe the heat will take a toll over you and plays a hitch to all the happiness inside you, so make sure you drop in this side after 5 p.m. Fortkochi is beautiful this time of the year. Being in Kochi, you wouldn’t want to miss making a halt here!

Image Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle

Kochi gets a heritage museum. Cool isn’t it? Well, this sounds like going to be a reality soon. Capturing the beauty of the Anglo-Indian community which has been in Kochi since the last century, this museum would showcase the various arts that were produced by the Anglo-Indians. They have played an important role in shaping up the Kochi it is today. Hence, their art-forms and culture needs a special mention and appreciation. This museum will protect the tradition of Anglo-Indian and other European communities that are present in Kochi.

From photographs, paintings and sculptors by Europeans, there will be a showcase of the best works at the museum. The government will shell out an amount of two crore for this project, initially. Portuguese, Dutch, and English, the cultural harmony and beauty of their art can be witnessed here.

The construction of the museum will begin soon. Masters of European cultural affairs will also take part in bringing out this museum. This would be one-stop place for Kochiites to go and visit, to revive that glorious past.

Cruise everywhere! And this time, it is from Fort Kochi to Alleppy. Yes, you heard that right! Travel through our exotic backwaters with your loved ones in an exclusive cruise. A new cruise service will start operations from Fort Kochi to Alleppy very soon. This was announced by Minister for Finance K. M. Mani as part of announcing the budget for 2012-13. New cruises will begin operations from Valiyathura in Trivandrum to Alleppy as well.

Since these are some of the pivotal areas in the state that attract tourists, bringing cruises will add to the attractiveness of the place, and also facilitate in more tourists pouring in. The marinas will be developed in Alleppy and Thalassery, and will set sailing in our backwaters soon. The government has also set up initiatives for the upbringing of different methods of waterways for commercial purposes as well. The authorities expect a smoother and better means of transportation through waterways.

So Kochiites, get ready for some lovely cruising, very soon!

Fortkochi, Ernakulam’s pride, has always been a tourist attraction, and also a place Kochiites would love to spend a one-day holiday. Maybe the locale is molded to be a tourist hot-spot, but who doesn’t love going there on a weekend to just relax. State Government and Corporation has constantly been trying to improve the condition of Fortkochi, but it seems like we need more infrastructure and resources to bring the best out of this place.

Seems like the Central Government heard the grievances! Very soon, Fortkochi will own a 10 crore budget project which will change the face of the city. According to the authorities, work to improve the condition of this tourist spot will begin this year itself. From roads to hotels, home stays and shopping spots, there needs to be an absolute make-over which is required.

One of the important projects in the list is to provide betterment in the condition of the road from Vasco Da Gama Square to Bishop Palace. Lights (on either side of the roads) will also be provided. The Chinese fishing nets, which were neglected for long, will also get a make-over.

There are more to the list. Let us hope this project will provide a complete face change to Fortkochi, so that it becomes one of the most sought after tourist spots in the country by this year end!

Fortkochi- the most sought after tourist locale in Kochi, youngsters’ favourite hangout, a shopping hub, and more. We all have had a good time at Fortkochi, haven’t we? Reaching there was never a tedious job. From the local private (red) busses, to the new low floor A/C busses (that offers a luxury travel at reasonable rates), the boats and more, reaching Fortkochi was easy. But all these apply to the inmates of Kochi city. What about the tourists who come and visit the state often, yet finds it difficult to reach Fortkochi? Here is something which is being done for them.

Our Fortkochi will very soon have busses plying from all major tourist locales connecting Fortkochi. KSRTC is working for this, and plans to bring it out soon. The work is on, and officials plan to bring this in a month. The fact that tourists prefer travelling in local mediums of transport rather than hiring a cab or private vehicles prevails. Hence, bringing out this initiative will truly be a blessing to the tourists and the government also.

The number of busses will increase drastically. Let us wait and see how well this shall help in promoting tourism!