Kolkata - some much needed R&R

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29 Nov - WOW! It wasn't a dream, Liam and I really are in Calcutta. Bhupindra confirms that the Mumbai to Goa trip has been cancelled due to the security issues and I'll get a full refund which I decide to put towards the Delhi to Kathmandu trip with GAP next month, which Bhup will also be leading...Liam manages to arrange a flight back to Ireland for a few days time, so it looks like our split decision to come here paid off. After breakfast we decide to upgrade to a nicer hotel and end up at the wonderful Lytton Hotel, also on Sudder Street, backpacker central for Kolkata. Screw the backpacker budget, time for some luxury 😊

We have some quality rest and relaxation before visiting the hotel's restaurant which has the intriguing name of Gaylords (see previous blog for photographic evidence!).

We decide to head out at 11pm as it's Saturday night in downtown Kolkata and Liam's determined to go clubbing 😊 We venture out into the streets for the first time. Poverty and begging is even more apparent here than the other Indian cities I've visited...but yet again the contrasts are vast...within minutes we're in the swanky 5 star Park Hotel and queuing with the beautiful people to get into Tantra Nightclub, THE place to be seen in Kolkata. Although it's only 1000 rupees entrance fees the drinks are staggeringly expensive...I mean, more expensive than Monaco!!!! However, that doesn't stop us getting completely 'langered' ie drunk on a mixture of beer, vodka and that old favourite from Africa...Jager 😊

This definitely seems to be where all the beautiful people and Bollywood wannabes hang out. While sitting at the bar, we get our photo taken presumably for some magazine. It's great music, we hit the dancefloor for a bit before lounging about in the chillout zone and end up getting back to the hotel at 5am, lol.

30 Nov - an extremely lazy day. Spend time online, reading and watching Bollywood tunes on MTV.

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