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Airlines, domestic: Indian Airlines, Durbar Hall Road ; Jet Airways, Bab Chambers, Atlantis, MG Road phone 0484/369423; Alliance NEPC in the Chandrika Building, also on MG Road (phone 0484/367720). Airlines, international : Air India, 35/1301 MG Road, Ravipuram phone 0484/351295; British Airways, c/o Nijhawon Travels, MG Road phone 0484/364867; Air France, Alard Building, Wariam Road (phone 0484/361702); Egypt Air, c/o ABC International, Old Thevara Road phone 0484/353457; Gulf Air, Bab Chambers, Atlantice Junction, MG Road phone 0484/369142; Kuwait Airways, c/o National Travels, Pulinat Building, MG Road phone 0484/360123; PIA, c/o ABC International, Old Thevara Road phone 0484/353457; Saudi Arabian Airlines, c/o Arafat Travels, MG Road phone 0484/352689; Singapore Airlines & Swissair, Aviation Travels, 35/2433 MG Road, Ravipuram phone 0484/367911. Spencer & Co, Arya Vaidya Sala Buildings, 35/718 MG Road phone 0484/362064 are the local agents for Air Maldives, Cathay Pacific, KLM and Northwest Airlines. Ayurvedic treatment Although widely advertised all over town, the following two come particularly recommended - Kerala Ayurveda Pharmacy, Warriom Road, off MG Road (phone 0484/361202; Rs350-400 for 1hr 30min) with trained doctors, and PNVM Shanthigiri, Thrikkakara (phone 0484/558879) on the northern outskirts. Banks and exchange Banks along MG Road in Ernakulam include ANZ Grindlays; State Bank of India, which also has a branch opposite the main KTDC tourist office on Shanmugham Road; the efficient Andhra Bank, which also advances money on Visa cards; and the State Bank of Travancore - virtually the only place in the state where you can trade in torn banknotes - which has an evening counter (4-6pm). However, to cash travelers' cheques, the best place is Thomas Cook (Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm; phone 0484/369729) near the Air India Building at Palal Towers, MG Road; or try the Surana Financial Corporation next door. There's a new 24hr ATM (Visa, Mastercard) in the HDFC building on the junction of MG Road and Ravipuram Road, just south of Thomas Cook. Bookshops Bhavi Books, Convent Road phone 0484/354003; Higginbothams, TD Road phone 0484/368834; Pai & Co, MG Road phone 0484/355835, Broadway phone 0484/361020, New Road phone 0484/225607. Idiom, opposite the Synagogue, Jew Town, Mattancherry and on Bastion Street, Fort Cochin (phone 0484/220432) is a wonderful place to browse for books on travel, Indian and Keralan culture, flora and fauna, art, anthropology and there's an excellent range of nonfiction. Cinemas Sridhar Theatre, Shanmugham Road, near the Hophone Sealord,screens English-language movies daily; check the listings pages of the Indian Express or Hindu (Kerala edition) to find out what's on. For the latest Malayalam and Hindi releases, head for the comfortable a/c Mymoon Cinema at the north end of Chitoor Road, or the Saritha Savitha Sangeetha, at the top of Market Road.
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Handicrafts CI Company, Broadway phone 0484/352405. On MG Road try Kairali phone 0484/354507; Khadi Bhavan phone 0484/355279; Khataisons Curio Palace phone 0484/369414; Surabhi Kerala State Handicrafts (phone 0484/382278). Carpets can be found at Coirboard Showroom; for good quality Keralan, Portuguese and from Dutch antiques head over to Jew Street, Mattancherry, although you will have to bargain hard. Hospitals General, Hospital Road phone 0484/360002; City, MG Road phone 0484/368970; Government, Fort Cochin phone 0484/224444. Internet Email is widely available in the area around Princess Street in Fort Cochin (Rs60/hr); connections are slow. In Ernakulam, the most efficient and speedy internet point is on the third floor, Pepta Menaka Complex, Shanmugham Road (Rs30/hr). Music stores Sargam, XL/6816 GSS Complex, Convent Road, opposite Public Library phone 0484/374216, stocks the best range of music tapes in the state, mostly Indian (Hindi films, and lots of Keralan devotional music), with a couple of shelves of Western rock and pop. Music World, MKV Building, MG Road phone 0484/355632, is Cochin's answer to a music superstore with Western pop, classical, compilations, world music, and filmi music. Sound of Melody, DH Road, near Ernakulam Junction station, also has a good selection of traditional south Indian and contemporary Western music, while Sea Breeze, 248, GCDA Complex, Marine Drive (phone 0484/363536) is a smart upmarket shop with a strong emphasis on Western music. Musical instruments Manual Industries, Bannerji Road, Kacheripady Jnct (phone 0484/352513) is the best for Indian classical instruments. For traditional Keralan drums, ask at Thripunitra bazaar. Photography City Camera, Lovedale Building, Padma Junction, MG Road, repair cameras and come recommended; Krishnan Nair Bros, Convent Road, stock the best range of camera film, including black-and-white, Kodak and Fuji, and professional colour transparencies. Several others are located along MG and Shanmugham roads. Post office The Head Post Office (Mon-Fri 8.30am-8pm, Sat 9.30am-2.30pm & 4-8pm, Sun 10am-4pm) is on Hospital Road, not far from the Main Jetty. The city's poste restante is at the GPO, behind St Francis Church in Fort Cochin. Tour and travel agents Clipper Holidays, 40/6531 Convent Rd phone 0484/364443. Experienced agents good for wildlife and adventure tours in Kerala and Karnataka. Other all-round travel agents specializing in tours and air-ticketing include Travel Corporation of India, MG Road (phone 0484/351646), Princy World Travels, Marine Drive (phone 0484/352751), Trade Wings, MG Road (phone 0484/367938) and Pioneer Travels, Bristow Road (phone 0484/666148).
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