Goshree Islands
The Goshree Islands are the islands north of Old Kochi, including Bolgatty, Vallarpadom and Vypin. Vypin Island is one of the most densely populated islands in the world with numerous fishing villages, tourist villages and the popular Cherai Beach.
Get in
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Map of the Goshree IslandsBy water metro
[edit]- 1 Vypin Water Metro .
See
[edit]- 1 Matsyafed Milky-way Aqua-Tourist Village, Malipuram (12 km from city centre), ☏ +91 4829 273 314. 10AM-5PM. A unique concept where a large shrimp farm of the state-run cooperative Matsyafed is converted into an aqua-tourist village with options to fish for fresh prawns, crabs and shrimp for a nominal fee, canoeing within a mangrove forest, sun-bathing, swimming at a private beach nearby and enjoying sunset picnic cruise. Breakfast and lunch are included in entry cost and have a wide range of fish delicacies and pickles. ₹100 per person.
- 2 Pallipuram Fort, Pallippuram. The oldest existing European fortification in India. Built by the Portuguese in 1503, it was later handed over to the Travancore Army to become a major army base till 1903, when it was converted into a heritage museum. It has a small museum and good views of the lagoon on one side and the sea on the other.
- 3 Vypin Lighthouse (Cochin Lighthouse), Puthuvype. The tallest lighthouse in Kerala.
Churches
[edit]- 4 Basilica of Our Lady of Snows, Pallippuram.
- 5 Church of Our Lady of Hope.
- 6 National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom (Malayalam: വല്ലാര്പാടം പള്ളി, Portuguese: Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Resgate), Vallarpadam. A minor basilica and a major Christian pilgrimage centre. The picture of the Virgin Mary and Infant Jesus, installed at the top of the main altar of the Vallarpadam Church, was brought by Portuguese merchants under the leadership of Vasco da Gama in 1524. In 1676 the old church, founded by the Portuguese missionaries, was destroyed by a heavy flood, and the picture was found floating in the backwaters. Nobody except Paliyath Raman Valiyachan, the prime minister of Maharaja of Cochin, could recover it. The present church at Vallarpadamis is built on land donated by him.
Do
[edit]- 1 Cherai Beach, North of Vypin Island (Take Route-3 bus from High Court stand). Gold beaches with big sand grains, coconut palm corridors, backwaters and historical monuments. Cherai Beach surpasses all with its swimming facilities and coconut groves. Occasional sights of dolphins are also an added attraction. This is one of the safest beaches for swimming, watersports and beach games. A very large, beautiful backwater is 250 m from the beach and is famous for its scenic beauty and boating. The best way to reach Cherai is a ferry from Fort Kochi to Vypin Island and then a local bus (₹12) to Cherai Junction. From there, take an auto-rickshaw (₹20) to the beach. An alternative is taking the auto-rickshaw from the ferry for about ₹100. There are also buses from Ernakulam to Cherai Junction.
Buy
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[edit]| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | Under ₹750 |
| Mid-range | ₹750–3,000 |
| Splurge | Over ₹3,000 |
Splurge
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- 1 Bolgatty Palace, Bolgatty Island South (take ferry from High Court Jetty or reach through Goshree Bridges), ☏ +91 484 2750500, +91 484 2750600, bolgattypalacekochi@ktdc.com. Check-in: noon. A premium heritage property of KTDC, where English Royals celebrated their life during British Raj days. The Palace complex was built in 1630s by Dutch owners and soon became the residence of the British Resident Commissioners for Cochin and Travancore. The resort is famous for its honeymoon cottages, large Dutch style gardens, horse tracks and golf course. A marina and accompanying marina suites are nearby near to the ex-Residence. ₹5,000-15,000 per night.
- 2 Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty, Mulavukad, ☏ +91 484 266 1234.
- 3 Le Maritime.