Over an hour’s drive from the airport and thirty minutes from the busting city of Cochin, it is a respite to head towards Mattancherry. A towering gate across the bridge ushers you into the town of Fort Kochi, a popular tourist destination famous for its Chinese fishing nets and the only surviving Jew synagogue along with the many other churches and streets, which lend themselves to the quaintness of this small town.
Snaking 6 kilometers from the bridge, past many residential streets, a charming post invites you to “Reds Residency’, home to Mr. Philip D’Souza and his wife Maryann. Having now retired from a busy life of parenthood, they have recently opened up their comfortable house to guests. Conveniently located just 500 meters from the beach, the home is away from the touristy commotion, yet close enough to walk to the popular destinations.
Newly constructed rooms on the first and second floor of the fifteen years old property are immaculately clean and comfortable, equipped with a TV, AC and Wi-Fi Internet. The five rooms, including one suite, have an earthy sense with dark brown furniture, numerous books and interesting artifacts. The common living area on the first floor has a bougainvillea clad balcony overlooking the rather peaceful street below. The couple often joins in for breakfast in this area, to suggest tweaks in itinerary to have a wholesome experience of Fort Kochi. The cottage like suite on the second floor has a pleasant sunny white terrace apt for barbeques. The hosts have poured their creativity in this space with the traditional Kerala doorway and a door framework which inventively doubles up as a table. This room also houses an ancient bed belonging to their ancestral home.
Enthusiastic travelers themselves, Maryann and Philip are sensitive to various kinds of needs and display a fine balance between inclusion and intrusion in their hospitality. Maryann is known to painstakingly learn various recipes at a short notice, to present dishes which are conducive to the guests’ palettes, though her ‘dosa’ and ‘sambhar’ are highly recommended for a sumptuous breakfast. She is always eager to share and learn recipes if visitors are in the mood for some exchange of culinary skills. Even the household staff is extremely warm and helpful and emulates the hospitality extended by Philip and Maryann.