"Cochin the Spice City" a Kochi Travel Page by MikeAtSea

Cochin (also known as Kochi) is the great, old Keralan spice city.
It consists of mainland Ernakulam, the islands of Willingdon, Bolgatty and Gundu in the harbor, Fort Cochin and Mattancheri on the southern peninsula and Vypeen Island north of Cochin. Because of the area’s dense tropical forests, extensive ridges and ravines, it has been sheltered from invaders and the rest of India. This encouraged Keralites to welcome maritime contact, and therefore influence from the outside world.
Cochin still has a small community of descendants from Jewish settlers who fled Palestine centuries ago. When the Portuguese arrived here during the Middle Ages, they were surprised to find Christianity already established along this coast. Traders from far-off lands have been coming to Kerala since ancient times in search of spices, sandalwood and ivory. Such long contact with people from overseas has resulted in the blending of various cultures and has given
Keralites a cosmopolitan outlook.
The present-day State of Kerala was created in 1956 as a result of combining Travancore, Cochin and Malabar. The latter was at one time part of Madras State, while both Travancore and Cochin were princely states ruled by a rajah. Unlike some rajahs in other parts of India who exploited their people and squandered the proceeds on high living, the rajahs of both Travancore and Cochin made efforts to provide basic services and education for their subjects. This resulted in the post-independence state being one of the most progressive, literate and highly educated of all the states in India.

CUISINE
In general, southern India excels in vegetarian food. The cuisine reflects what grows in abundance - coconuts, chillies, tamarind and bananas. Eating options in Cochin are somewhat limited.
OTHER SIGHTS
Parishath Thamburan Museum
Located on mainland Ernakulam, the museum is housed in the old Durbar Hall. It features 19th-century oil paintings, old coins, sculptures and some collections and memorabilia that belonged to the Kochi royal family. (Be sure to check the museum’s opening times.)