After arriving from the Gulf Air flight via Bahrain to COCHIN, we stayed the first 2 nights at the Taj Malabar situated on Willingdon Island overlooking Cochin harbour and backwater area. A comfortable well presented hotel and is a short distance to the centre of Cochin (approx 15mins drive)

Our first day was spent doing a harbour cruise then visiting the synagogue in Jewtown and St.Francis church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried. We had lunch and site inspection at Malabar House Hotel which is a delightful ‘funky boutique’ hotel in the historical area of Fort Kochi, not far from the famous Chinese Fishing Nets. Although it only has a plunge type pool(see picture) it provides an ideal town based hotel.