Blogs from Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Asia - page 3

Birla mandir is situated in Ballygunge. It is located on the side of the main road (Queens park road near old Ballygunge road). It is built by the industrialist Birla family. Many town busses go by that route. It is about 9 kms from Howra staion. Yes town busses are available from Howra to this place. We first visited the Kali temple in Kalighat and from there went to Birla temple. In Google maps it appeared to be close (1.5 kms) to Kali temple. When I asked a hand pulled rickshaw he asked for 200 rupees. I was surprised as a taxi would even be cheaper. Later we came to know that taxis/auto rickshaws were not available in that place. Then another hand pulled rickshaw told he would drop us in Hazra for 100 rupees where ... read more

I left Singapore after leaving loads of my personal things especially cutlery which was home warming gift from my sister. I took a photo of it for memories. I was not in a position to carry excess baggage and Silkair was strict. Flight was uneventful as I was angry at the helpless of my situation. This changed when I entered the brand new Kolkata airport. It was clean and tidy. My check in luggage arrived in a jiffy and I was so delighted to meet my cousin at Kolkata airport. At home, my bed was ready and I went off to sleep. Next day was famous Arsalan Biryani day with cousins. Subsequently, we visited Nehru Doll museum and to spot the exact location on google map, I had to turn my cell phone upside down! It ... read more

Double Mutton Roll: I continued my world street food hunt in India and this was what I found. This roll comprised of a fried doe, aka Roti. It was thicker than regular Roti. Fried on a giant wok- like skillet. Mutton (lamb), onions, green pepper were also given a turn on the wok. Then everything was assembled into a wrap. Hot sauce, lime and some ketchup-like sauce were added to finish things up. The guy who made the roll was the chillest guy ever. He made them as one of the customer was badgering him. Writing this post is making me hungry, time to go hunt for another one.. A Bengali Meal: Rice, fish in fish gravy, Mung bean mash and curry vegetable. Sweets: Assortment of Indian sweets, Lassi and sugarcane juice. I thought I could ... read more

Kolkata, or more widely known as and still used by most of the local population, Calcutta, is situated in the north east of India in the state of West Bengal. The former capital of the British Raj of India has a somewhat split personality - the old British developed and organised colonial heartland and the surrounding chaotic Indian areas which merge together to form a wonderful city. Our first afternoon, which passed in somewhat of a blur due to tiredness and jet lag, consisted of a tour around the colonial buildings - Victoria Memorial, St John's Church, St Paul's Cathedral and Government buildings. Next day our tour of Calcutta continued with a very varied program. We visited the Sheetalnathji Jain Temple which was painted in brightly coloured pastel shades with pink towers looking somewhat reminiscent of ... read more

Welcome to the City of Joy I was up bright and early on my first official day in Kolkata.. City of joy.. I went to jump in the shower and was rudely awakened by the face I had no hot water... I almost gave up on hot water until I had a last minute lightbulb moment that it was India and therefore I should expect the unexpected... I turned the hot water tap off and a minute later low and behold, the hot water ran... Of course hot means cold and cold means hot! I then went to find Taylor who was staying in a nearby room. She had shared a room with an extremely interesting character from Israel. A 25yo hippie called Leron. Lovely girl but completely crazy! The three of us headed off to ... read more