Kochi

Cruise vessels berth on Willingdon Island. Larger ships use Ernakulam Wharf, which has no facilities, while smaller ones call at the nearby Samudrika Cruise Passenger Facilitation centre. The town is not within walking distance, lying 10 km away.

The fully air-conditioned centre occupies 1500 sqm. Facilities include customs and immigration desks, X-ray baggage scanners, metal detectors, toilets, a prayer room, feeding room, space for a duty-free store and a cafeteria, among others. An Indian band and elephants greet arrivals.

Numerous ferries near the berth travel into central Cochin. The boat from Ernakulam to Fort Kochi takes around 20 minutes, with 30 daily services. The first leaves at 0600 hrs and the final departure is 2110 hrs, for only a few rupees.

Taxis and tuktuks gather around the port for passengers not joining a cruise excursion, and haggling is expected. Arranging a private taxi tour is straightforward and inexpensive; taxi fares offer good value.

Carry the printable map during your visit.

Cochin, also known as Kochi, is Kerala's most important port in southern India and occupies a strategic position between China and Europe. Strong Portuguese influence is reflected in its many Portuguese churches, alongside a Jewish synagogue, several mosques and Hindu temples.

Mattancherry Palace is an essential regional sight. The Portuguese built this 19th-century palace and presented it to the Raja of Kochi.

At the centre of Mattancherry is "Jew Town", a historic Indian district where ancient Jewish residents began trading. Antique showrooms now characterise the neighbourhood, whose well-known landmarks include Jew Palace and the Jewish synagogue.

Further sights include the central Mangalavanam bird sanctuary and the remains of Fort Cochin, constructed by the Portuguese in 1510 AD.

Museums worth seeing include the Museum of Kerala History and neighbouring Hill Palace Museum.

Walk the impressive beach to view Chinese fishing nets along the waterfront. Kerala is famous for its backwaters, which can be explored by boat through inland, palm-lined channels bordered by paddy fields.

International Pepper Exchange in Jew Town, Fort Kochi, is Kochi's version of New York's Wall Street, but trade here centres on pepper rather than money. It is the world's sole pepper exchange and merits a visit for its broad selection of pepper varieties and insight into trading methods.

Walk at Marine Drive, which is not a road but a two-km-long traffic-free promenade. Backwaters border one side and a busy retail area the other. From High Court jetty, the route crosses two scenic bridges before reaching Rajendra Maidan, passing several shopping malls.

Kochi is not traditionally pedestrian-friendly because of its humid tropical weather, poor walkways and reckless traffic.

Experience Cochin City as residents do: tour its streets, take a backwater cruise, ride a tuk tuk and perhaps see a Hindu temple festival featuring decorated elephants.

Cochin's taxis are convenient and comfortable, most commonly Tata Indica or Ambassador cars. They are much safer than auto rickshaws, and their drivers are courteous. Travelling alone or to an unfamiliar place makes a taxi strongly advisable, although it costs double the auto fare.

Take a taxi from the port to central Cochin and alight near the famous fishing nets. The palace, downtown shops and surrounding districts are walkable from there, before a taxi return to the ship.

More adventurous visitors can tour Fort Cochin by Tuk-Tuk. Walk beyond the taxis inside the port to find them. As India was a British colony, most drivers speak English very well.

Useful ferries also connect the islands, including the 'Junkar' between Fort Kochi and Vypeen. Boats run every 20-30 minutes from Ernakulam to Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Vypeen and Willingdon Island, costing far less than buses. They are often faster because road vehicles follow longer, congested routes. From around M.G. Road to Willingdon Island or Mattancherry, for example, the cheaper and quicker option is a ferry from Ernakulam Main boat jetty.

Kerala Backwaters is a remarkable system of canals, rivers and lakes winding for around 1,150 kilometres. Its peaceful setting provides a compelling view of another side of Indian life.

Shopping choices include rosewood; cumin, fennel, dill seed and other spices; jewellery; sandalwood carvings; grass mats; coconut-shell souvenirs; saris; antiques and other handicrafts. The principal retail areas are M G Road and Marine Drive.

The currency used in India is the Indian rupee.

In major cities, chain retailers, westernised restaurants and other shops accept credit cards. Small and family-run businesses almost never do, making it sensible to carry a moderate amount of cash.

Hindi, English and 21 other languages have official status.

Internet kiosks are now widespread and can cost as little as Rs. 30 an hour. Take care when entering credit-card details online because numerous card thefts involving key loggers have been reported.

A list is provided.