When you take the five minute boat ride from Kochi's Marine drive across the backwaters to Bolghatty Island, you leave behind the din of the city and enter Vacha Waters. The tiled cottage, wrapped with a stone pillared verrandah sits under the canopy of a gigantic century old rain tree, amidst sprawling lawns. Idyll away hours on a bench under the trees, watch the boats plying the backwaters, past the moored yachts and canoes while the city buzzes by in the background. (but ah! here's a little secret…no city sounds!). Inside, earthy tones of the terracotta floor, white walls, metal lamps and antique teak pieces mingle within the cosy interiors (thanks to a double height tiled ceiling) along with a cozy reading loft just under the rafters.