In my last hub Vacation in Cochin I wrote about different islands in cochin.This hub is about the main land Ernakulam.

To reach Ernakulam By railways from main cities in India you need to alight at Ernakulam Junction or Ernakulam Town railway Station. Once you are in Ernakulam you can hire an autorickshaw(3 wheeler) to reach GDCA complex,Marine drive.Best feature for tourist here is they have auto unions at the railway Stations.You need to give the details to your destination(i.e Marine drive) at the union office they will calculate the exact fare and hand over one recipt to youandone receipt to the auto driver.Once you reach your destination youneed to pay the amount on the receipt.It Saves lot of hassles later with the driver.

The other option to reach Marine Drive is by Pvt Bus transport.From the railway station you need to take a walk to the main road to the bus Station.The bus fare is Rs.4.50 for Marine drive from Railway Station.

Marine Drive

• Boat Jetties :

At Marine Drive you have boat Jetties for Vypin,Mattencherry,Fort Cochin,Bolgatty.The Govt Boat Jetties are located at opposite ends of Marine Drive.

1. Park Avenue Govt Boat Jetty For Vypin,Mattancherry,Fort Cochin. The fare is Rs.3 per person.

2. High Court Boat Jetty (Govt) For Bolgatty Palace.

The Private Tour Boats are available as well. The fare is around Rs.200-2000/person. I Travelled by Private Tour initially as I was not aware of Govt Boat Facilities. The boats 3hour back water ride.What they do is they give you an extremely slow motor boat ride and cover the duration without halting at any islands.You just get a boat ride.Why Go Cochin For that? When You are in Cochin, Island is a must SEE. Enjoy every moment without getting Cheated

• The Rainbow Bridges: There are two Rainbow Bridges at the marine Drive.One of them is near Park Avenue and the other is at High court Junction.Its a good place to hang around. You get excellent view of the ships moving in and ou of the Sea.Best place to see the sunset.its mesmerising.
• Park Avenue:There are three Parks one after the another along the marine drive. Just walk along the marine drive to reach them.

1. Traffic Park: It is an educational fun park.Kids can drive in small cars learn about the traffic rules while driving. If your with with kids make a point to visit here.Elders enjoy it equally as the kids.

2. Subhash Chandra Bose Park : The park is huge with good landscape. As the park is located along the marine drive you can sit here for a long time and watch the sea and sunset. Its a good location for photo shoot as well.

3. Rajendra Maidan: It is a historical park/Ground.Now mostly used for political rallies ,college functions etc.

• Ernakulam Shiva Temple: It is situated opposite the Historical Rajendra maidan at park avenue.It is a ver famous temple considered to be one amongst the most ancient temples in India. Though no historical records exists to indicate the precise date, an inscription found above the main entrance in "Vattezhuthu" , an antiguated script, Suggests that the sanctum sanctorium was built in the year 1614. The deity is referred to as Ernakuthappan.Hence the name Ernakulam.
• Ernakulam Cloth Market:It is a wholesale market just off the marine drive(Shanmugham road). Merchants from Gujrat State Dominate the business at large.Its not a place to get authenthic Kerala Garments or Beautiful Sarees. The material is cheap and the designs are awful.You can purchase good quality Shoes here !!

I would recommend visits to the jewellery arcades like Alipatt and Alukas as well as to the copper arcades like AKP metals situated just opposite to Marine Drive. You will sure end up buying a thing or two.

• Restaurants : There are number of restaurants off marine drive.You can just walk into any one every one has the same taste. Unlimited authentic south Indian food is served at these restaurants at a very reasonable rate.

Veg: Rs 30 -Rs.70/-

Non veg : Rs: 40-Rs.80/-

• Lodging: It is available from Rs.150 - Rs.5000/- Depends on you.You need a space to sleep or rest.So book only for a day or two. You can stay at different lodges at different islands.Check in for a clean room with fresh air and hygienic toilets and baths.

Around Ernakulam:

• MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH, VARAPUZA: This 1642 church is the second Indian Vicariath established by HOLY SEE after Goa. The Portuguese church bells will intereset you for sure.
• MUSEUM OF KERALA HISTORY, EDAPALLY- Located along with the Art complex at Edapally. It is a audio visual show presenting thirty five scenes from, political,social and cultural history of Kerala.The Audios are in English and Malayalam. Open 10 AM to 4 PM.Closed on Mondays and public holidays.
• St. GEORGE FORANE CHURCH, EDAPALLY- An important Pilgrim centre, this Roman Catholic church was built way back in AD 593 in a plot of land donated by the Raja of Edapally.After the seven churches were founded by St. Thomas. The Edapally church is considered to be one of the oldest in Kerala. The new church beside it was built in 1080. Historical records signify that a session of the Synod of Diamper, 1599,was held here.The annual 9 day feast held in April/may is very famous.

TOURISTS INFORMATION OFFICE: 

Govt. Of India tourist Office : Willingdon Island, Cochin.Phone : 2668352. Working hours: 9 am to 5 Pm.

Tourism Police: The tourism police wing is specially trained to deal with the visitor queries providing detail information on lodges, distance between places, boat , taxi services,bus routes etc. They operate at Fort Cochin, Mattencherry, Ernakulam Junction Railway Station, KSRTC bus Stand, Chamber Corner and the two boat Jetties.