The bustling district of Ernakulamis a cluster of islands networked by lagoons and backwaters, situated on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The cosmopolitan city of Kochi (Cochin), part of Ernakulam, is the commercial hub of Kerala. Nicknamed the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, Kochi is one of the finest natural harbours in the world. In ancient times, the port city of Kochi was a major centre of commerce and trade with the Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and the British. To this day, one can still observe the influences of these myriad cultures here, as they each left their unique mark. The most exciting part of visiting Kochi is moving around in the local ferries. Organised cruises on the Kochi backwaters will take you to a number of quaint destinations.