Kumbalangi Chinese Fishing Village
Kumbalangi, known as India’s first model tourism village, is famous for its “cheena vala” - Chinese fishing nets. Introduced by Chinese traders centuries ago, these nets still stand as a symbol of traditional fishing methods in Kerala. The area is calm, surrounded by backwaters, and gives a feel of how the local fishing community lives. We saw coir making and crab farming demonstrations. Most of the time, we were just standing around observing. Street vendors were around too, selling snacks and small items on the roadside (ALLEPPEY BOAT CRUISE).
Kerala
Kathakali Show
At the Kerala Kathakali Center, we joined a group of mostly Western tourists for the performance. The actors took the stage in full costume - painted faces, dramatic eye movements, and swordplay. The first 15 minutes were engaging and gave insight into Kerala’s cultural roots. But after a while, it started feeling repetitive and long. Still, it was worth experiencing for what it is - a traditional art form unique to Kerala (COLOMBO SRI LANKA TOURIST ATTRACTIONS)
Kochi Shopping Guide
The streets of
Kochi offer plenty when it comes to shopping. From street-side carts to proper
shops, you’ll find everything - clothes, textiles, gold, and of course, Kerala
spices.
Kerala Spices
Spice stores are everywhere. If you’re someone who enjoys cooking, it’s hard to leave without picking something up. Whether loose or pre-packed in small bottles and tins, the spices here are known for their quality and variety.
Himalaya Products
We walked into a Himalaya store, a familiar brand back home in Malaysia. The prices were noticeably cheaper - around 40% less - for supplements, skincare, and toiletries. A good stop if you use these products.
Indian Barbie Dolls
One unexpected stop was a store displaying Indian Barbie Dolls in traditional costumes. They looked eye-catching behind the glass. We didn’t buy any, but it was something different that stood out from the trip - our first time seeing such dolls.
Kochi Food Guide
Local Café
We dropped by a small café for tea. It had a range of sweet and savory snacks. We had Masala Chai and Bru Coffee - simple, flavorful, and true to Kerala’s taste of tea, coffee, and spice culture.
Hotel Buffet Breakfast
One morning, we were happy to spot Kerala Pal Appam - coconut milk pancakes that were crispy at the edges and soft in the middle. We had it with cows’ milk coffee. There was also a traditional dessert wrapped in banana leaf - made of flour, coconut, and brown sugar.
Restaurant Lunch
We had a late lunch at a higher-end restaurant. The setting was calm and relaxed. We started with onion bhajji (fritters), dipped in chilli and mint sauces. After the meal, they served a spice mix mouth refresher something quite common in Indian dining.
Kerala Banana Chips
On the way to the airport, we stopped at a roadside stall for Kerala’s famous banana chips. Freshly fried and packed, they made for great snacks. There were also other varieties of local tidbits.
Kochi Airport Dinner
Since we arrived early at the airport to avoid traffic, we had dinner before our flight - vegetarian biryani, chicken curry, flat bread/chapatti and lentil curry. A decent meal to end the trip.
Kerala offers a mix of culture, food, and everyday life. Kochi, in particular, shows a bit of everything - old traditions, local living, and flavors that stay with you.
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