Come to Kerala: Exploring Kochi

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Kerala For Keeps: Exploring Kochi

You never run out of things to do in Kerala. It’s a beautiful state, draped in lush greenery and framed by serene backwaters, with an immersive culture you carry with you long after you leave—if you’re lucky enough to experience it. Kerala, in particular, holds wonders unlike any in this region of the world: mist-covered hill stations, golden beaches washed by the Arabian Sea, and vibrant towns alive with color, spice, and song. Our days were packed with sights to see, food to savor, and adventures to chase, from tranquil boat rides at sunrise to bustling night markets rich with the scent of cardamom and coconut.

DAY 01

We began our trip with a filling meal at the East Indies Restaurant—the in-house restaurant of our official residence in Kochi, Eight Bastion Hotel. It was the perfect start to a long day ahead, as we were energized and well-rested.

Bolgatty Palace

Our first stop was the historic Bolgatty Palace on the lush, palm-fringed Bolghatty Island, where we were scheduled to meet Kerala’s tourism leaders. While we waited, we wandered through the sprawling property, taking in its quiet, old-world charm. Once a grand residence built for the Dutch in India, the palace has now been transformed into an elegant heritage hotel resort.

View near Kochi’s shipyard

We were told it was one of the oldest Dutch palaces still standing—outside Holland, that is. Today, this historic estate has been thoughtfully transformed into a sprawling resort. A scenic 9-hole golf course winds through gently rolling greens and old shade trees, while a sparkling swimming pool is framed by lush tropical foliage. The on-site ayurvedic centre offers traditional treatments and rejuvenating therapies, and guests can enjoy daily Kathakali performances, where elaborately costumed dancers bring ancient stories to life. With its blend of heritage, natural beauty, and modern comforts, it has become a popular holiday destination for both local visitors and foreign tourists.

Bolgatty Palace and Island Resort

What impressed me most was the palace itself. The caretakers of Bolgatty have preserved this beautiful building and transformed it into an elegant hotel. Seeing this made me wish the Philippine government would one day do the same for our heritage buildings, turning them into well-maintained tourist attractions that endure for generations to come.

Come to Kerala Participants with Mr. A.P. Anil Kumar

After our short tour, we were finally given the chance to meet the people behind our trip: the key tourism movers in Kerala, led by Mr. A.P. Anil Kumar, the state’s Minister for Tourism. During this brief meeting, he presented us with Aranmula mirrors as a token of appreciation. We were delighted to receive them from Kerala’s Department of Tourism.

Brunton Boatyard’s History Restaurant

Before we knew it, it was time for dinner. From Bolgatty Palace, we headed to Brunton Boatyard’s History Restaurant in Fort Kochi, conveniently located just a few blocks from our hotel. Like many places in this wonderful state, the restaurant is housed in a beautiful hotel that was once a heritage building.

Tea Dusted Tiger Prawns

It’s an interesting place. We were told it had been brought back to life from the ruins of a Victorian shipbuilding yard. The hotel is unique, allowing us to dwell among the shadow plays of the 19th century.

For starters, we were served Tea-Dusted Tiger Prawns. You could tell the prawns were fresh and perfectly cooked—they were chewy, tender, and juicy. The main entrée was Roasted Shallot Fish with Saffron Sauce: a gently roasted fish with potatoes, served with a mild curry sauce. To be honest, it was one of the best dinners I had in Kerala. The next time I find myself in Kochi, I will definitely return to this restaurant!

DAY 02: Fort Kochi Beach Walk Way

Another day, another adventure! After breakfast, we set out on a walking tour of Fort Kochi. We set out for the Fort Kochi Beach Walkway from our hotel. From there, we could see the public beach. There were also other interesting sights along the walkway: centuries-old houses, ancient walls, Chinese fishing nets, souvenir peddlers, fresh fish for sale, and plenty of street food!

Local Fishermens using Chinese Fish Nets

It’s incredible how walking along the beach gave me a historical and cultural tour!

St. Francis CSI Church

Next up was the St. Francis CSI Church. It was a structure built centuries ago, in 1503. In fact, it was considered the oldest European Church in India.

St Francis Church

An interesting fact about this church is that it was the original resting place of the famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama. He was buried in this place for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon.

Jew Town

Souvenirs from India

Since it was our last day in Kerala, it meant one thing: shopping! From St. Francis Church, we headed straight to Jew Town, once a bustling hub of the spice trade. Today, a few shops still sell spices, but most now focus on souvenirs. Beyond classic Kerala keepsakes, you’ll also find souvenir items from all over India.

Spice Shop in Jew Town

Jew Town is one of the best places for souvenir shopping. Here, you’ll find unique items you can’t get anywhere else—from traditional garb to home décor and charming knick-knacks—perfect for sharing with friends and family back home.

Inside a bookshop in Jew Town

If you’re a shopper visiting Kerala, make sure to stop by Jew Town. The best part is that prices aren’t fixed, so if you’ve got solid haggling skills, you can score some great bargains. Just negotiate as you would in any flea market—many vendors are willing to offer a good deal.

Cochin Cultural Center

We finally arrive at our last destination. The last thing on our itinerary is to immerse ourselves in Kerala’s unique culture. What better way than to watch a Kathakali performance, right?

Kathakali Performers putting on their makeup

Kathakali is a classical Indian dance-drama, stylized and distinctive for the striking makeup worn by the characters. They feature elaborate costumes, detailed gestures, and highly defined body movements—all in time with the anchor playback music and the complementary percussion.

Kathakali performance

A few things you may want to know about a Kathakali performance are that it originated in the present-day state of Kerala during the 17th century. It has changed over the years, but only for the better! The looks have been improved, gestures refined, and themes added, while precise drumming and ornate singing remain.

Kathakali Performers in Cochi  Cultural Center

After this eye-opening cultural show, we went back to our hotel for dinner. As we enjoyed the food, we secretly wrote a short note on a plain white T-shirt for our convenient tour guide, Manoj, as a souvenir and a token of our appreciation.

Mary and Kaori are presenting our token to Manoj, our tour guide

Two days were certainly not enough to explore this little haven of Indian culture. There were so many things to do and so many sights to see, not to mention all the good food we wished we were able to try! In fact, I already have a list of things I would love to do and places I’d like to see when I return to Kochi.

Kerala, see you soon!

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Read:

• Top 15 Best Things to do in Kochi + Tourist Spots
• Hotel Review: Eighth Bastion Boutique Hotel in Fort Kochi, Kerala
• Kerala Travel Guide: God’s Own Country
• The Colorful Tastes of Kerala