Exploring Kolkata

---

We explored Kolkata via an air-conditioned car and a driver named Gautam. Gautuam guided us through many of the touristy spots of Kolkata including Mother Teresa's House, the Marble Palace, St. Johns church, St. Pauls cathedral and the mansion of Rabindranath Tagore . Tagore was a poet, writer, painter and Nobel Prize winner in 1913. At the time of visiting his masion we didn't really know who he was but he certainly featured in many of the places we visited on our India tour including the Taj Mahal. It was obviious that Kolkata was steeped in history and that there was plenty to see. The reality for us was that it was very humid and we were still very much adjusting to the chaos of Kolkata including the Driving! Diary Entry; " Driving through the streets is incredible. Busy , Crowded, many shopfronts that serve as both workplace and home. The driving is crazy! There are signals for cutting in like beeping, flashing lights signal something else. However in a strange way the traffic flows and there appears to be some form of turn-taking". We visited the New market which was so very crowded, and so many stalls. Marco had his cricket shirt on which prompted many "Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh" comments from the locals. One enthusiastic touter lured marco and Lou up an alley way into a small shop with the promise of a cricket shirt for Marco. Nikki and I followed and we were temepted with scarves , shawls and Indian clothes and jewelllery. The criciket shirt was taking a while to materialise which made Lou suspicious and edgy and he hastened us out of the shop saying to the persistent salesman "tight time frame". We classed this as a "meltdown Point" for Lou who just didn't trust these poor Indians! Kolkata also claimed a meltdown point for Nikki who nearly murdered Gautam when he pulled up at yet another church. The Architectural feats had lost their attraction by the end of this day in Kolkata.

---

Photos

kolkata
St.Pauls Cathedral

kolkata
Ramakrishna Mission ; the Hooghly river