Destinations - South Asia - Cochin

Cochin (also known as Kochi) is the great, old Keralan spice city. It consists of mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willingdon, Bolgatty and Gundu in the harbor, Fort Cochin and Mattancheri on the southern peninsula and Vypeen Island north of Cochin. Because of the area’s dense tropical forests, extensive ridges and ravines, it has been sheltered from invaders and the rest of India.This encouraged Keralites to welcome maritime contact, and therefore influence from the outside world. In Cochin there is still a small community of descendants from Jewish settlers who fled Palestine 2,000 years ago. When the Portuguese arrived here some 500 years ago, they were surprised to find Christianity already established along this coast. People from far-off lands have been coming to Kerala since ancient times in search of spices, sandalwood and ivory. Such long contact with people from overseas has resulted in the blending of various cultures and has given Keralites a cosmopolitan outlook. 

The present-day state of Kerala was created in 1956 as a result of combining Travancore, Cochin and Malabar.The latter was at one time part of Madras State, while both Travancore and Cochin were princely states ruled by a rajah. Unlike some rajahs in other parts of India who exploited their people and squandered the proceeds on high living, the rajahs of both Travancore and Cochin paid considerable attention to the provision of basic services and education for their subjects. This resulted in the post-independence state being one of the most progressive, literate and highly educated of all the states in India.

View all the cruises that call at Cochin, South Asia cruise destination

Companies: Hapag Lloyd Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Peter Deilmann Cruises , Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Crystal Cruises, P & O Cruises, Indian Ocean Cruises , Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Intrav, Oceania Cruises, Star Clippers,

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