Kochi Backwaters

Kochi or Cochin as it used to be called before the name was re-changed to its original form, is a city in south India in the state of Kerala.

It is a historic trading port and traded with the Romans, Persians, Arabs, and Chinese. Taken over by the Portuguese, then Dutch in the 16th century, it was later ruled by the British.

In my recent visit, I enjoyed a boat trip in the Kochi backwaters.

Right at the start, I was greeted by cormorants, lounging on a chinese fishing net structure.

I got to see the cormorants in multiple poses all at once.

Further along on the water, a lone cormorant was perched on a pillar, with the mangroves in the background.

There were many herons in the area, looking for fish.

More boats were plying the backwaters as it was a beautiful sunny day, breezy and not too hot.

Looking at the local area map, I noticed a few islands and many water channels comprising the backwaters.

The boatman and guide said this was called India’s national water highway number 3, and connected to the Arabian or the Laccadive Sea.

Several Lapwings were relaxing on a parapet on the shore.

A large group of ducks was nearby, and a few herons were in the area too.

The Oriental Darter, a waterbird with a very long, slender, snakelike neck and a long, pointed bill, which the guide called as snakebird, was on a high branch of a far away tree and I was glad to get a clear picture of it from the fast moving boat.

The mangroves on the shore were thick and the guide took me to climb on the roots.

The roots were solid, thick and sturdy.

The open water was relaxing and all the tourist hotels in the area were visible on the shore.

At another spot was the Indian Pond Heron and I got a good shot of its eyes.

After a relaxing hour on the water, the guide took me to a small fish restaurant, in the interior of the city area, where the fish and prawns cooked in banana leaf were delicious. I had selected one marinated river fish displayed at the entrance of the restaurant. Served with Appam and coconut curries, the meal was a delightful feast.

This was a great way to spend an afternoon in Kochi. Back in the hotel, I could appreciate their collection of the traditional bronze art pieces, and one of them was especially striking.