This tour is ideal for those who have their own transport and just need professional guiding service to visit Cochin in a day. You will be accompanied by a Govt. licensed Guide. The visits mentioned in this product can be revised to suit the tastes of the customers. The guide will also suggest an appropriate place to stop for lunch as per your convenience. He can also suggest nice places for shopping since Cochin is a haven for handicrafts and antiquities. Overall, he will ensure a wholesome experience taking into account Visitors interests. Also please note the following on this tour: The guide will join you at the first visit and leave you at the last visit; One place in your vehicle to be made available to him; Dresses covering legs and shoulders are preferred to visit the Synagogue. Shoes have to removed before visiting both St. Francis Church and the Synagogue.
Just guiding
Duration: 8 hours
St. Francis church was initially built by the Portuguese in 1503 as a Catholic church dedicated to St. Bartholomew. Later the Dutch converted this into a Protestant Church rededicating it ot St. Francis. Subsequently the British made it an Anglican Church and it remains so to this day. This Church stands mute testimony to the Eurpoean colonization and its effects on this region. Vasco da gama, the discoverer of Sea Route to India, was buried here when he died during his third visit in 1524. But later his remains were moved to Lisbon. Apart from all the tombstones gathered over centuries, the church also still retains the old hand-operated pankhas (fans) that were used earlier.
The Chinese Fishing Nets, suspended in mid air and standing on the beach, is perhaps the most photographed sights in Cochin. Especially during sunrise and sunset, silhouetted against the sky. This techniques of fishing is believed to have been introduced in Cochin by Chinese explorer Zheng He, from the court of the Kubla Khan sometime during 14th Century.
A visit to a local 'Laundromat' can be very interesting. Its called a Dhobi Khana where one can watch the washermen work on the clothes of their customers, dry them and iron them. This facility is provided by the Government which charges the Washermen a fee for using the utilities available.
You will make your own way to the meeting points