Fort Kochi: Self-Guided Heritage Walking Tour

Situated in the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala, Kochi, also known as Cochin, is a charming city with a fascinating hodgepodge of cultural heritage: Indian, Jewish, Dutch, Chinese, Portuguese, and British. It was my first stop in my long backpacking trip in India.

As planned, I spent most of my time in Fort Kochi, which is part of what is known collectively as Old Kochi, because the important monuments and historical places are located there. There are other attractions in the nearby towns, but I decided to stay solely in Fort Kochi as I only allotted 3 days in the city.

Arrival at Fort Kochi International Airport:
 

My 6:00am flight via AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur to Kochi took about 4 hours. It was such an early flight for my liking but I bought it anyway because it only costs 1,800 pesos (38$), probably the cheapest 4-hour flight I have ever bought. To avoid the risk of being late, I left my friend’s house in Cyberjaya at 11pm to catch the last train to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at midnight. I had to force myself to sleep while I was on the plane.

The plane arrived on time at 7:35am. There is a time difference between Malaysia and India; India being 2 hours and 30 minutes late. Upon exit, I immediately rushed myself to the immigration threshold as I wanted to reach Fort Kochi before noon and maximize time. I read online that crossing the immigration at the Kochi Airport usually takes time but I didn’t experience it. My arrival went smoothly, taking no more than 20 minutes to go through the passport control and Customs. I was also traveling without any luggage which also saved me time.

After exiting the Customs gate, I exchanged my 100$ to Indian rupees. There are several currency exchange shops at the International Arrival terminal. There is no point to compare as they offer the same exchange rates. Before leaving the terminal, I connected to the free wifi and pinned the location of my accommodation in GoogleMaps.

How I Get to Fort Kochi from the Airport
 

To get to Fort Kochi, I took the Orange public bus servicing the airport and Kochi City. You can read the full details here: How to Get to Fort Kochi The Cheapest Possible Way. Fare costs only 80 Indian rupees (1.20$), way cheaper than taking the taxi. This is the most cost-effective option to get to downtown Cochin.

Accommodation in Fort Kochi: Allan’s Inn Homestay
 

Finding the exact location of my accommodation (Allan’s Inn) was harder than I expected. From the Sta. Cruz Basilica where I was dropped off by the bus conductor, it shows in the GoogleMaps that I’m only a few blocks away but it is not accurate. I had to ask several people where the hostel is located, most of them clueless about its address.

After aimlessly walking around for about 30 minutes, I finally found the place with the help of an Indian guy who was kind enough to call the hostel’s owner and point me to the right direction.

Upon arrival, I was welcomed by an Indian lady named Fexy with a welcoming smile. I booked a private, fan room, including breakfast, for 600 rupees in this homestay accommodation for two nights. Besides the cheap price, I specifically chose this inn because of its proximity to key historical attractions in Fort Cochin.

After checking in, I changed clothes, rested for a bit, connected to the free wifi to load my desired locations in GoogleMaps, before heading off for an afternoon walk around town.

DIY Heritage Walking Tour of Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi is a small, walkable town with many attractions close to each other. From Allan’s Inn, many of the colonial churches are only a few minutes away by walking. This self-guided, DIY heritage walking tour of Fort Kochi lasted for about 3 hours.

My first stop was the Sta. Cruz Basilica, a colonial church originally built by the Portuguese in 1505 but was later re-erected by the British after its destruction. FYI, there are only 8 Basilicas in India and it is considered as one of the finest churches in terms of architecture. I only managed to take photos of its facade because there was an on-going afternoon mass and foreign visitors were not allowed inside during that time.

Afterwards, I walked along Princess Street, one of the oldest streets in Fort Kochi, where a number of restaurants, cafes, art galleries, and souvenir shops are located. Also lined up in this street are old buildings and bungalows built in the European style, giving a good slice of colonial European architecture. A good view of the entire street can be seen at the Loafer's Corner, a famous cafe at the junction of Bastion, Peter Celli, and Princess Street.

Not far away is another important cathedral, perhaps the most notable of all, not only in Kochi but the entire India, St. Francis Church. It is the oldest church built in India built by the Portuguese colonizers in 1503. It was also here where Vasco da Gama, a well-known Portuguese explorer, was buried in 1524, before his remains were transferred to Lisbon, Portugal 14 years later.

Also nearby is the popular Vasco de Gama Square, a promenade along the Mahatma Gandhi Beach where you can watch fishermen use traditional Chinese fishing nets. There are numerous stalls serving seafood and other delicacies in the area.

My final stop was the Dutch Cemetery. It is believed to be the oldest European cemetery in India. It is located down the street from St. Francis Church and parallel to the Fort Kochi Beach. Consecrated in 1724, the cemetery has 104 tombs.

If you wish to follow this self-guided heritage walk of Fort Kochi, I suggest you use the GoogleMaps.

India

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7 Reasons Why I Enjoyed Traveling in Prague, Czech Republic

It is really difficult to put into words how much I love the city of Prague, the so-called “Jewel of the Crown” in Central Europe. In terms of attractions, Prague has a unique mixture of the past and the present, making it a charming tourist destination. Most notably, the cost of living in Prague is cheaper than most European cities, a good enough reason to include this city in my list of favorite cities to visit.

Here is my rundown of 7 reasons why I enjoyed traveling in Prague, Czech Republic:

1. Walking around Prague is like traveling back in time
When I started off my self-guided walking tour of Prague from the Charles Bridge, I was immediately transferred to the Medieval Age as I wandered  along the cobblestone streets and tiny alleys in the old district. Almost in every corner, I got to see some amazing old structures which reflect the city’s rich history. The most impressive of these structures is perhaps the Prague Castle, which is now over 1,000 years old. The entire complex consists of several buildings, including churches and palaces, surrounded by splendid gardens.

2. Amazing view of the city from the Prague Castle
The Prague Castle pretty much dominates the city skyline and by walking up the hill, I got an amazing view of the city. The castle is architecturally beautiful in itself but the view from it makes it even more outstanding. 

3. Prague’s Old Town square is one of the most attractive squares I’ve seen in Europe
For sheer atmosphere alone, the Old Town Square is to die for! The square brims with colours and energies – from the beautiful buildings surrounding it to the buskers giving visitors free street entertainment. In this area, I saw the iconic Old Town Hall Tower, the famous Astronomical Clock (an absolute must-see!), the Gothic Týn, and the Baroque St. Nicholas Churches and the Kinský Palace. I particularly enjoyed watching how the sculptures of 12 apostles parade out from the Astronomical Clock before it hits the hour. 

4. The tranquility along the Vltava River 
I think one of the best ways to get a relaxing time in Prague is by just unwinding and enjoying the tranquility along the Vlatava River especially in the early morning when the natural sunlight is particularly stunning. At night, the long stretch of buildings by the river light up wonderfully.

5. Bizarre sculptures in Prague put a big smile on my face
There are a number of bizarre sculptures scattered all over Prague. In particular, the odd, creepy crawling babies made a lasting impression on me. There is another bizarre sculpture of a man with a golden penis that I found on my way to the Prague Castle. Yellow penguins also stand along the Vltava River. I bet you’ll love them too!

6. Buskers in Prague put on amazing shows
In Prague, the street becomes the theatrical space. Walking through narrow alleys at the heart of the Old Town Square, I encountered and watched a lot of street musicians, dancers, and other performers. I absolutely love them! These buskers made my stay in Prague even more amazing. Free entertainment almost everywhere!

7. Traveling in Prague is cheaper 
The cost of living in Prague is cheaper (!) compared with other major cities in Europe such as London, Paris, Venice, and Rome. Being a self-confessed cheapskate traveler, this is among the primary reasons why I love traveling in Prague, Czech Republic. The accommodation, beer, food, and transportation in Prague are way cheaper than the abovementioned European cities. Amen!

Have you been to Prague before? What do you love about this European city? If you have something to add to my list of reasons why I love traveling in Prague, Czech Republic, feel free to leave your comment.

Featured

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10 Recommended Things to do in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Legal cannabis and prostitution are probably the first two things that would often come to mind when talking about Amsterdam. However, the city has actually a lot more interesting and “wholesome” things to offer for travelers, whether you’re visiting for a day or two. 

Amsterdam is a charming city with interesting museums, beautiful architectures, canals, markets, and streets for biking. Here is my own list of recommended things to do in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

1. Rent a bicycle in Amsterdam
The most cost-effective and enjoyable way to explore Amsterdam is by bike, and no tourist should leave the city without experiencing its popular bicycle culture. Being a flat district, it allows for easy and stress-free cycling. Whether you are a fitness aficionado or not, cycling around Amsterdam can be quite an adventure! 

It is also a fantastic way to visit more attractions and sights without spending too much money on transportation. Renting a bike is way cheaper than taking the bus, train, or tram. You’ll surely enjoy the experience as you bike along the Amstel River and pass by colorful buildings, trendy houseboats, and old architectures.

2. Go to a coffee shop
Amsterdam is equally popular for its numerous coffee shops (not to be confused with cafes!) and these are amazing places for tourists to relax and enjoy cannabis legally while interacting with the locals. Although these shops are not allowed to advertise, identifying them is pretty easy. Just look for the green and white license sticker in the window! 

If you don’t like to smoke, I recommend trying out the famous Amsterdam space cakes (brownies) or the bonbons (lollipops) instead. Why not!? Carpe diem!

3. Visit the Red Light District
Rosse Buurt, De Wallen or Walleties, as the Dutch call it, the Red Light District of Amsterdam is home to a number of legalized brothels, sex shops, and even museums. The most interesting part of this district is its network of alleys containing tiny one-room cabins rented by prostitutes who offer their sexual services from behind a window or glass door. 

This specific area leaves nothing to the imagination and you’ve got to see it yourself!

4. Shop in flea and flower markets
There are numerous shopping spots in Amsterdam. For those who are into bargain hunting and flea market shopping, I highly suggest you visit the Waterlooplein market. There you can find vintage stuff, artworks, collectible items, and analogue cameras. You should also consider going to the famous floating flower market. It’s a good place to purchase all sorts of flowers like tulips, narcissus, and other bulbs to bring back home. 

5. Explore the canals
Similar to Venice in Italy, Amsterdam is a city with impressive and extensive canal system. There are many boats and cruises that you can rent to see the town from canals. You will be able to board a cruise in nearly every hour during the day. Trust me, it’s a very relaxing way of exploring the city!

6. Relax at the park
Amsterdam is a city of fantastic parks too. After a tiring day, I would personally recommend going to the extensive Vondelpark, especially during the summer, to hang out and relax. Make sure you take a stroll though the rose garden teeming with a wide variety of roses. Other notable parks in Amsterdam include Westerpark, Rembrandtspark, and Oosterpark, all of which are clean and well-maintained.

7. Eat food from the vending machine
Hungry and need some quick snacks? I suggest you head into FEBO and try their selection of snacks such as burgers and croquettes displayed behind glass doors. No need to order. Simply put some coins in the vending machine slot and voila, snack is ready!

8. Watch theatre shows

For lovers of theatre and the performing arts, Amsterdam is an ideal place to be! The city has a renowned theatre scene that encompasses various genres. For instance, Amsterdam’s Royal Theatre Carre offers a wide mix of performances, everything from musicals, cabaret, theatre productions and ballet through to circus acts and comedy. Other notable companies and venues include Orange Theatre Company, The Queen's English Theatre Company, Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, De Melkweg, Mike’s Badhuistheater, and much more.

9. Visit the museums
Amsterdam is a paradise for arts and culture enthusiasts. You will surely have a visual blast in Amsterdam as the city is home to many outstanding museums and art galleries, among them the Hermitage, Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art and the Van Gogh Museum. Make sure you buy the Museumkaart. It is a pretty good deal as it gives you unlimited free access to almost all museums in Amsterdam.

10. Watch street performers and buskers
Amsterdam is home to a lot of street performers, artists and entertainers. They can be found all across the city but most of them perform in Dam Square (The Red Light District), Leidseplein (The Restaurant Quarter), Vondel Park and Rembrandtplein. You can watch everything from magicians, musicians, dancers, human statues, jugglers, fire-eaters, acrobats and anything else you can think of!

Do you have anything to add to this list of recommended things to do in Amsterdam, Netherlands? Feel free to leave your suggestions below!

Netherlands

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Spending 4 Days in Paris With 120 Euros: How It's Possible!

Visitors of Paris come in a variety of types, ages, and nationalities. There is no such thing as a singular archetypal image of a tourist in Paris as the city can now be enjoyed by almost anyone, even those on a shoestring budget. Believe me, Paris is for cheapskates too! 

Those who veer away from heavy spending now have many practical, budget opportunities to explore the city. While the general belief is that Paris is such an opulent, expensive place to visit, a small travel budget should not deter you from having a satisfying experience of this cosmopolitan city.

I enjoyed my time in Paris while spending less (meaning: spending money wisely!) and avoiding the “tourist traps” where most travelers are often get caught up in. When I visited Paris for 3 nights, 4 days, with my Chinese friend, Wendy, I spent about 120 euros in total. Sharing most of the expenses with her cut down my over-all expenditures in half. Here’s how we managed to spend less in Paris:

We took a bus to Paris from Amsterdam.
Instead of taking the fast but expensive train to Paris, we took a Megabus from Amsterdam via Brussels which only costs 6 euros! Yes, 6 amazing euros! Megabus is a cost-effective option for those who want to travel around Europe. They have many connections to the major cities and popular destinations in the continent. As a budget traveler, I'm a huge fan of this bus company!

We stayed in an Airbnb accommodation.
My friend is not into Couchsurfing so we decided to get a place to stay in Paris through Airbnb and found a studio flat somewhere in Rue de l'Odéon, a centrally located street on the Left Bank, for 30 euros per night. Divide that amount by two and I ended up paying 15 euros per night. This is relatively cheap as the flat is close and within walking distance to some of Paris’ major tourist attractions, allowing us to save a good deal of money on transportation. This is also way better than staying in a crowded dormitory-type hostel.

We cooked (mostly) our own food in Paris.
Eating in restaurants in Paris is notoriously expensive. Coffee is ridiculously priced. To save money, we cooked our food at the studio flat that we were renting using some left-over stuff such as rice, pasta, cured hams, canned goods, etc. that I brought with me from my apartment in Amsterdam. Additional food were bought at the local supermarket. Although there were a couple of occasions (as seen in the photo below) when we decided to splurge a bit and eat out, we never went to a fancy restaurant. We’re wise enough to know that it would put a big hole in our pockets.

We booked our tickets in advance for Eiffel Tower.
This is perhaps one of the best decisions we’ve made as tickets can easily be fully booked for at least the next two months. We booked our tickets to the Eiffel Tower ahead of time directly from the official website for 15 euros each to get slots for the sought-after lifts to the top. There are actually cheaper tickets for 7 euros but will only give you access to the 2nd floor. Buying our tickets in advance has also prevented us from opting for websites and tour companies offering the same ticket at three times the original price.

We took advantage of the free admission to Louvre Museum.
For the unacquainted, admission to the Louvre Museum is free for a number of visitor categories written in their website. You must check if you are qualified. We saw Mona Lisa for free! Yay!

We never took a taxi.
Instead, we used the public transportation to get around the city. The Paris Metro is incredible and relatively cheap! A single Metro ticket costs 1.80 euros but we chose to get a bundle of 10 tickets, costing 14.10 euros. That’s almost 4 euros of savings!

We never booked a tour.
There are a number of tour packages in Paris, but we never bought any of these. Not even the hop-on, hop-off bus tours! They are a big ripoff! We did everything on our own, we walked a lot and took the train, at our own pace and time, and managed to visit a long list of attractions for free without hassles. These include the glorious Notre Dame Cathedral, the artsy square of Montmartre, the famous Moulin Rouge, the tranquil banks of the Seine, and the posh avenue of the Champs Elysées, to cite a few.

Rundown of my Expenses in Paris:

Bus to Paris from Amsterdam: 6 euros
Accommodation (3 nights, 4 days): 45 euros
Grocery/Food Share: 20 euros
Restaurant Meals: 18 euros
Transportation (Metro Tickets): 15.10 euros
Eiffel Tower Ticket: 15 euros
Postcards: 1 euro
Total: 120.1 euros (roughly 132 dollars)

How about you? How much did you spend when you visited Paris? Do you have any more budget tips on how to travel for less in the City of Love? Share yours!

France

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