Day 133 (Fri 17 Nov) - Kolkata
Sarb got up very early this morning to see what Kolkata is like in the early morning.
Walked, carefully stepping round the numerous people sleeping out on the streets, to the Maiden just in front of the Victoria Memorial. Even at this ungodly hour there were about 3 cricket matches going, a football match and a sort of group exercise session. Horses were roaming around quite freely.
The Victoria Memorial looked majestic as wisps of mist floated past it.
Sarb met up with Jo, Disco and Charles for breakfast. The three of us then went on a mammoth walk round Kolkata. Very soon into the walk we decided that the map in the Lonely Planet was next to useless, however it was the only map we had.
As we walked along we spotted a chap who really ought to have been at the business end of the hand pulled rickshaw.
Walked to the Maiden and spent a couple of hours at the impressive Victoria Memorial. The museum and galleries were excellent; the only criticism is that perhaps there is too much information.
Walked round the beautifully kept gardens of the memorial ( [1], [2] ).
From the Memorial we got a taxi to Eden Gardens. Although the name conjures up images of a beautiful garden in reality it is just an open grass area. Walked on and into central Kolkata.
The buildings in Kolkata are all crumbling away and in dire need of a facelift. However it doesn't take too much to imagine what it must have looked like at the height of the British Raj. Many buildings would not have looked out of place on Regent Street or Bloomsbury.
Walked past a large square that had intentionally been flooded creating a pond. The ducks certainly seemed to appreciate it.
Very, very hot as we reached the banks of the Hooghly river. Couldn't actually see the river as we were impeded by a ferry terminal. Decided that we'd have enough of walking and got a taxi to a famous eatery called Peter Cat.
This place was just like an Indian back at home. Had a great lunch and a few beers.
Left at about 5pm to wander back to the Fairlawn hotel. Jo wrapped up some pressies she had bought whilst Sarb lazed around.
We all met up again in the garden area of Fairlawn at about 8pm. As it was Sarb's birthday in a few days time and Disco was leaving tommorrow she gave Sarb his birthday pressies early ( [1], [2] )! Sarb got a travel chess/draughts set. He has threatened to teach Jo how to play chess, much to her alarm.
We sat around drinking and chatting until 11.30pm.
Walked, carefully stepping round the numerous people sleeping out on the streets, to the Maiden just in front of the Victoria Memorial. Even at this ungodly hour there were about 3 cricket matches going, a football match and a sort of group exercise session. Horses were roaming around quite freely.
The Victoria Memorial looked majestic as wisps of mist floated past it.
Sarb met up with Jo, Disco and Charles for breakfast. The three of us then went on a mammoth walk round Kolkata. Very soon into the walk we decided that the map in the Lonely Planet was next to useless, however it was the only map we had.
As we walked along we spotted a chap who really ought to have been at the business end of the hand pulled rickshaw.
Walked to the Maiden and spent a couple of hours at the impressive Victoria Memorial. The museum and galleries were excellent; the only criticism is that perhaps there is too much information.
Walked round the beautifully kept gardens of the memorial ( [1], [2] ).
From the Memorial we got a taxi to Eden Gardens. Although the name conjures up images of a beautiful garden in reality it is just an open grass area. Walked on and into central Kolkata.
The buildings in Kolkata are all crumbling away and in dire need of a facelift. However it doesn't take too much to imagine what it must have looked like at the height of the British Raj. Many buildings would not have looked out of place on Regent Street or Bloomsbury.
Walked past a large square that had intentionally been flooded creating a pond. The ducks certainly seemed to appreciate it.
Very, very hot as we reached the banks of the Hooghly river. Couldn't actually see the river as we were impeded by a ferry terminal. Decided that we'd have enough of walking and got a taxi to a famous eatery called Peter Cat.
This place was just like an Indian back at home. Had a great lunch and a few beers.
Left at about 5pm to wander back to the Fairlawn hotel. Jo wrapped up some pressies she had bought whilst Sarb lazed around.
We all met up again in the garden area of Fairlawn at about 8pm. As it was Sarb's birthday in a few days time and Disco was leaving tommorrow she gave Sarb his birthday pressies early ( [1], [2] )! Sarb got a travel chess/draughts set. He has threatened to teach Jo how to play chess, much to her alarm.
We sat around drinking and chatting until 11.30pm.
posted by Jo and Sarb at
11/17/2006 07:46:00 am
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