Cochin or Kochi ,as it is also known , is a city of so much diversity. St. Francis Church is one of the oldest churches built by Europeans in India. A visit to the Royal Palace depicts life as it existed for the royals and the upper class.

In 1524, the King of Kochi granted land to Jews fleeing Kodungallur after conflicts with the Portuguese. This community thrived trading spices and coexisting with their Muslim and Hindu neighbors. The community known as Jew Town began to dwindle once Israel became a state in 1948. Today, Paradesi Synagogue only has one member and services are held with people coming from surrounding communities. It still is a street filled with shops and a tourist destination.

Chinese fishing nets, first used hundreds of years ago, are still utilized today in Cochin.

The tolerance of the Indian people is very much displayed in Cochin as so many religions and cultures coexist side by side.

And this is definitely the place to buy spices, cashews and authentic banana chips.