pakdoktergolfblog: The Ramada Resort, Kochi..

Monday, January 25, 2010

The Ramada Resort, Kochi..

15th January 2009

The AirAsia flight left the LCCT at Sepang at 250 pm and reached Kochi ( Cochin) four hours and 20 minutes later which was at about 4.30 pm Kochi time. The Kochi Airport still smells of new paint and many of the shops are still under renovation. Our tour guide and driver, John, was waiting for us at the arrival hall and we were driven in a comfortable 10 seater 'Traveller' van to our first stop for a one night break in Kochi.

Kochi, to pakdokter, is a city in a rush to develop. The highway from the airport to the city is still under construction and many highrise apartments and shopping malls are also under construction. It took at least one hour from the airport to our resort which was along the backwaters in Ernakulam ( Kochi City). Just as we left the airport, pakdokter did not fail to notice a new golf course which is nearing completion. From the looks of it, it should be ready for play in the next 6 months to a year. On enquiry, pakdokter found out that this is the only golf course in Kochi. With so many good golfers from India playing in the USPGA and the European and Asian Tours, pakdokter will not be surprised if more and more golf courses will be developed in the future.

The Ramada Resort in Kochi was indeed a pleasant surprise. It is a small outfit with about 40 rooms. The gardens and lawns are clean and beautifully turfed. The view from the balconies gave a fantastic vista of the backwaters with fishermen rowing their boats netting for their catch. The bedroom is spacious with modern decor and state-of-the-art lighting. Solar lighting is also available - an indication of its 'green' awareness....

Apart from a very long lap-pool, there is also a well-equipped gym and for the 'shopoholic' - the little shop next to the lobby had more than enough jewellery, pashminas, apparels and art and curio items to keep one tempted!

checking-in at the hotel lobby....