Indo-Portuguese Museum
by BlueLlama
I've listed this under 'Off the Beaten Path' as this museum is sadly largely ignored by visitors. When I enquired about going, I was told that it wasn't really worth the visit. What a shame; I'm so glad I ignored the advice because the Indo-Portuguese Museum is a great little museum, quite obviously maintained with love and care.
The Portuguese had a significant influence in Kochi (Cochim in Portuguese), and if you have any interest in that at all, the museum is instructive. It was quite special to see the religious objects that make up the bulk of the collection, so familar to anyone who's been in any part of the world with a Portuguese connection, in this place that is so far away from Lisbon.
The collection is largely composed on highly colourful altar pieces, statues of a multitude of saints and related religious imagery, but there is also good information on the Portuguese in Kerala. It's a small museum, linked to Lisbon's Gulbenkian Foundation, and is housed in a very pretty villa away from the bustling centre of Kochi. Appropriately for the subject, there is a real sense of calm, and the displays are artfully done.
The guestbook reveals that most of the visitors and indeed Portuguese and I found it quite touching to see the reconnection of these cultures. Eu adorei este museu!
Dal Roti and Mr Romesh Menon, its eclectic owner
by cochinjew about Dal Roti
While I was at the Dentist (Fatima Dental Specialty Clinic), the younger Dr John vouched for the food at Dal Roti, when I complained that the quality of Food in Fort cochin has gone down. Ask for Thava Biryani and you wont be disappointed, said he.
walking along the ageing mansions facing the padang/maidan/football ground, where once the ruling brits lived, one crosses into lilly street where you could see the entrance to the Bishops House.
The interior decoration of the place reflects the owner/chef with his eclectic taste, while it says that it serves Northern Indian Plains Fare, it is the interaction with his client that makes Mr Menon to adapt the dish to the client. He more or less designed the dish we requested for with the spices and the flavour.
he is an avid reader so we have a lovely conversation about Indian Literature in English and he explained why there has been a recent "boom" in indian literature.
as you enter there is a large wall hanging, dominating the room as well as a terracota of the bull, sacred in hindu mythology. it houses just a few tables and there is an alcove where one could sit and read, he invites you to do that..He also recommended Kashi Cafe for coffee.. Paneer Makhani, with red sauce with large chunks of Paneer in it, mellow in its taste as requested.
vegetable Biryani, savoury and plenty for lunch, as a single dish
ginger lime soda which quenches ones thirst
90+80+35+35 inr for a nice lunch and a chance to meet that rare breed of Indian, an intellectual, rather than ritualistic and nationalistic.. on this visit Mr Menon is the second intellectual we have met in Fort cochin, the other one being a gentle giant by the unlikely name of rockey..
I highly recommend this place
Vasco da Gama House
by SirRichard
In Rose Street (Fort Cochin) is Vasco House, built in the 16th century. It is said to have been the residence of Vasco Da Gama, tough it has never been proved. Anyway, is a nice house and a typical example of local architecture.
Fishing Nets
by MikeAtSea
Those can be found along the shore line in Cochin. The only time I have seen these nets before was in China, and this is the only part in India where these nets are used. Because of the size between 6 and 8 people are used to "operate" these nets when they are full. I have seen the operation once, and was astonished how "chaotic" it works... I guess it takes a system that we don't understand.
Kochi - Kerala
by earthflyer
India
Agra --- Belur --- Goa --- Gwalior --- Halebid --- Kumbakonam --- Lachen
Lachung --- Panipat --- Satna --- Bodhgaya --- Gaya --- McLeod Ganj --- Hampi
Mysore --- Kochi --- State of Kerala --- Kovalam --- Munnar --- Quilon (Kollam)
Khajuraho --- Orchha --- Sanchi --- Ellora Caves --- Mumbai --- Gangtok
State of Orissa --- Chennai --- Kanchipuram --- Kanyakumari --- Madurai
Mamallpuram --- Vellore --- Jhansi --- Sarnath --- Varanasi
Kolkata --- Chandigrah --- Delhi
More Destinations In India
INDIA - Home Page
Shimla --- Thanjuvar --- Tiruchirappalli(Trichy)
Thanggu
Chopta Valley, Sikkim
Manali
Hampta Circle Trek
Leh
Spituk to Hemis Trek
Puri
Konark & Bhubaneswar
Amritsar
Attari
State of Sikkim
Gezying --- Yumthang Valley --- Namok Village --- Loser (Tibetan Festival)
Darjeeling
Darjeeling Trek
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Smiling faces and waves of welcome everywhere.
coconut rice
the street of black jews
Jew Town
