What a fantastic day. Kolkata is such a vibrant city and surprisingly very green with loads of trees and wonderful old buildings. It has historically had a bad rep which is arguably no longer justified. This was pretty much a quick & dirty look around. We started with a tram ride see to the bazaars but didn’t stop so could only do grab shots. It was stinking hot and we were thankful we didn’t have to walk. Of course the tram is completely open so we were able to hang out of the windows and door to take photos. You know, all the things you are not allowed to do back home. This was not the posh end of town. After lunch we had a short potted history tour of the city by bus. Kolkata was the capital until 1911 and currently has 13 million people. This swells every day to 18 million as people come into the city to work. I think we met most of them today.
Later in the afternoon I happened on one of those wonderful serendipitous opportunities & got the chance to see the South Park Street Cemetery. What a fantastic place, it was more a necropolis than what we recognise as a cemetery. It was very evocative, the tombs were largely from the time of the Raj & were massive, many with fancy domes and/or columns. It was quiet and peaceful (apart from the ravens screeching around) with lots of trees. I am so delighted to have seen it. I could have spent days there. Unfortunately I couldn’t do it justice with only 35 minutes.
I have also revised my thought that street food is ok if you see it being cooked in front of you. I guess it depends on what it is and whether it needs to be on a plate... there is is a plate being washed under that gush of water.
Later in the afternoon I happened on one of those wonderful serendipitous opportunities & got the chance to see the South Park Street Cemetery. What a fantastic place, it was more a necropolis than what we recognise as a cemetery. It was very evocative, the tombs were largely from the time of the Raj & were massive, many with fancy domes and/or columns. It was quiet and peaceful (apart from the ravens screeching around) with lots of trees. I am so delighted to have seen it. I could have spent days there. Unfortunately I couldn’t do it justice with only 35 minutes.
I have also revised my thought that street food is ok if you see it being cooked in front of you. I guess it depends on what it is and whether it needs to be on a plate... there is is a plate being washed under that gush of water.
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