Introduction
Cruise Tourism
is becoming an increasingly popular ‘leisure choice’ worldwide Cruises, which
were at one time considered the prerogative of the rich, the only option for
the aged and the natural choice for honeymooners, is today fast reaching the
wider leisure market. Representing one of the fastest growing sectors
worldwide, cruise market trends indicate a qualitative as well as quantitative
consolidation in the industry, with cruising gaining greater significance in
the global ‘tourism pie’ and successful seizing a significant ‘niche’ market.
Cruise
to India
India today is poised for making a significant mark in
the international tourism scenario and right now,
Cruises to India are available through several major cruise lines. Although
itineraries for these cruises generally visit the Indian ports of Mumbai,
Cochin and Marmagao (Goa), they vary considerably in terms of other featured
destinations and points of embarkation, which may include ports in the Far
East, the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean.
Cruise Special @ Kochin Port
Cochin (Kochi), in the state of Kerala,
is the most important port in Southern India, enjoying a strategic location
between China and Europe. Cochin
is a city that has served as a melting pot for diverse cultures over thousands
of years. When the voyager visits this city on a shore excursion as part of an Asian cruise, will witness
how the many traditions that have influenced Cochin's culture in the past
affect the modern metropolis in the present.
There are various choices for the
voyager to experience ‘Kerala in nutshell’ through a variety of pleasure trip
explained below.
Cochin City Tour
Cochin sprawls over a large area that includes several
islands, so one way to explore the city is by riding a boat through its canals.
From these waterways, one can see the city's famous Chinese fishing nets, which
are graceful cantilevered contraptions that are used by Cochin's many
fishermen. Introduced by traders from China in the 14th century, these devices
are a unique reminder of the city's diverse cultural heritage.
One important aspect of Cochin's
culture comes from Indian traditions and no visit to the region is complete without a trip to the 19th
–century Mattacherry Palace built by the Portuguese and given to the Raja of
Kochi. Mattancherry is also faimous for having “Jew Town” in its heart. This is
a historical part of India, where the ancient Jews started their trading. This
neighborhood is now famous for antique showroom. Jew Palace and the Jewish
synagogue are two faimous landmarks.
The voyager can also watch the traditional art of Kerala,
namely “kathakali," a performance that blends poetry, dance, music and
mythology. When in town, one can learn more about the stories that underlie
Indian religious heritage when you witness this colorful and exotic form of
art. Another local tradition you have to see when you visit Cochin is
kalaripayuttu, an ancient martial art that derives its movements from those of
animals.
Cochin has been influenced heavily by European merchants
as well. Established by Portuguese spice traders as a stopping point on the way
to the East Indies, this fortification is also home to a famous church built in
1510 by Franciscan friars. Another important religious structure is the Cochin
Synagogue. Built in 1568, this Jewish temple truly represents Cochin's blending
of cultures, as it features floor tiles hand-painted with Cantonese designs.
Meanwhile, the Dutch left their mark on Cochin as well, and you can see their
legacy at the spectacular Dutch Palace.
Muziris Heritage
In this regard, it is very
interesting to visit the International Tourist spot at Paravur, to be precise “Muziris
Heritage Project” which is the amalgamation of Tangible and Intangible
historical heritage of Kerala. Here, one can find the relics of “Muziris” the
ancient port town India and which was the First Gateway to India as per the Spice
Route. One can visit the First Jewish Synagogue in India which is built in the
16th Century. It stands one of the best examples of communal harmony and
brotherhood as here the church, Temple, Mosque and Jewish Synagogue all lay
together within a stretch of one square kilometer. (30 minutes. It will be closed on Sundays). Vypee Kotta built in the 16th Century by the
Portuguese. Adjacent to the Seminary is an old Syrian Catholic Church, built in
1201. It is also the site where the first printing press in India
came up. ‘Paliyam Palace’ –built by Dutch and gifted
Paliyathachan, Minister for Raja of Kochin. ‘Cheraman Juma Masjid’, the first
Mosque in Asia, ‘Kottapuram Fort’, Cherai Beach and other number of Temples.
Natural Fibre Craft of Kerala
To learn more about the industrious side of Kerala, you
will want to pay a visit to the countryside. Here, you will find local artisans
creating a wide variety of wares, ranging from pottery to carpets. Some of the
most important products include coir, a fiber made from the husk of the
coconut, and khadi, a light and breathable hand woven fabric. It is worthwhile
to have short visit to the National Resource Centre for Natural Fibre Craft at Kodungallur,
where one can see the various process of the production of daily utility eco-friendly
products from natural fibre called Screwpine, Water Hyacinth, Banana Fibre,
Talipot Fibre, Bamboo Fibre etc.
Backwater of
Kerala
Finally, it is very important to have
a small journey in the backwaters of Kerala. As you will slowly make your way into the
waters paradise the waves will seem to lap faster than your racing heartbeat,
the beauty of the Kerala backwaters will slowly descend upon you. Backwaters of
Kerala being the most popular tourist’s hotspot remains crowed with nature
lovers, avid travelers and specifically the honeymooners. The backwaters are a
chain of brackish lagoons, lakes and rivers that adorn the lush beauty of the
state of Kerala and its vicinities. Some of the most popular backwaters of Kerala
are Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Kochi, Kollam, Kozhikode, Kottapuram and Trivandrum
Backwaters which possess their own beauty and gorgeousness. Crowds of travelers
are seen at the banks eagerly waiting for the houseboats to take them on a
journey to the ever gleaming backwaters of Kerala which sparkle and chaotically
dance around in the day and flow at night in a serpentine manner. Kerala
backwaters offer the travelers with the most memorable journeys of their
lifetime
Trips Tours & Travels
Trips Tours & Travels
is an offshoot initiative of Rang De Basanti a DMC in Kerala, which facilitate
the Cruise Special packages. It is huge task to cover all the destinations
mentioned above in one day. Usually the cruise duck at the Cochin port at
Morning and leave in the evening, hence a voyager gets maximum 6-7 hours to spend
for Cochin shore excursion. Therefore it is voyager choice to select the
destinations. If the voyager gets maximum two full days in Kochi, it is enough
and more time to cover all the destinations.
For more details Please
contact:- www.tripsglobal.org
Read more :-
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